Edward Harington of Ridlington facts for kids

Sir Edward Harington (died 1652) was an important English landowner. He became the 2nd Baronet of Ridlington, following in his father's footsteps. A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.

Edward was the oldest son of Sir James Harington of Ridlington and Frances Sapcote.

In 1601, Edward married Margaret Doyley. It was a special "double wedding" because on the same day, his father, Sir James, married Margaret's mother, Anne Bernard! Margaret's family owned the Merton estate in Oxfordshire, which became part of the Harington family's lands.

Edward Harington was chosen twice to be the High Sheriff of Rutland. A High Sheriff was a very important official in a county, responsible for keeping the peace and enforcing laws.

The family's home at Merton had a long gallery, which was a grand room often used for walking and displaying art. The gardens there in the 1600s even had a special terrace. This terrace offered a great view of the countryside, including a place called Otmoor and the villages nearby.

Sir Edward Harington was buried in 1652 at Swakeleys, a place in Ickenham. His son later inherited Swakeleys House.

Family Life

Edward and Margaret Harington had many children, 14 in total! Here are some of them:

• Sir James Harington was their oldest son. He became the 3rd Baronet of Ridlington and also lived at Swakeleys. He married Katherine Wright, whose father, Sir Edmund Wright, was once the Lord Mayor of London. Sir James and Katherine had 16 children! In 1649, Sir James Harington was given the important job of making lists of everything inside the royal houses.
• John Harington
• Ann Harington, who married Sir Richard Pigot.
• Eliza Harington, who married John Hacker.
• Jane Harington, who married Richard Serjeant.
• Elizabeth Harington, who married Christopher Browne.
• Bridget Harington, who married three times: first to Richard Ser, then to Sir John Gore, and finally to Sir Thomas Tyrrell.
• Lucy Harington (died 1660)
• Theodosia Harington (1616-1684), their youngest daughter, who married John Fountaine.