Edward Radclyffe, 6th Earl of Sussex facts for kids
Edward Radclyffe, 6th Earl of Sussex (c. 1559 – August 1643) was an important English politician. He lived from about 1559 to 1643. He served in the English Parliament for many years. Later in his life, he became an Earl, which is a high rank in the nobility.
Contents
Edward Radclyffe: A Life in English Politics
Early Life and Family
Edward Radclyffe was born around 1559. His father was Sir Humphrey Radclyffe. His mother was Isabel Harvey. Edward's grandparents were Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex and Elizabeth Stafford, Countess of Sussex. This means he came from a well-known family with connections to the English nobility.
Serving in Parliament
Edward Radclyffe became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1586. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament. He first represented Petersfield.
He was elected to Parliament several more times:
- In 1588, he became an MP for Bedfordshire.
- In 1593, he represented Portsmouth.
- He was elected for Bedfordshire again in 1597, 1601, and 1604.
Besides being an MP, he also held another important role. In 1598, he was appointed Sheriff of Bedfordshire. A Sheriff was a royal officer responsible for law and order in a county.
Becoming an Earl
Around 1594, Edward Radclyffe was knighted. This means he was given the title "Sir" by the monarch for his service.
In 1629, he inherited a very important title: the Earldom of Sussex. He became the 6th Earl of Sussex after his cousin, Robert Radclyffe, 5th Earl of Sussex, passed away. An Earl is a high-ranking noble, a bit like a duke or a marquis.
Later Life and Legacy
Edward Radclyffe was married three times during his life. His first wife was Elizabeth Petre. His second wife, whom he married in 1594, was Jane Hynde. His third wife, Eleanor Wortley, married him in 1634. Eleanor lived for many years after Edward passed away.
Edward Radclyffe died in August 1643. He faced financial difficulties towards the end of his life. He did not leave a will. After his death, the title of Earl of Sussex became extinct, meaning there were no more Earls of Sussex in this family line.
