Edward Unton (high sheriff) facts for kids
Sir Edward Unton (born 1534 – died 16 September 1582) was an important English politician and a Knight of the Bath. Being a Knight of the Bath was a special honor given by the King or Queen. He also served as a high sheriff, which was like a chief law enforcement officer for a county.
Early Life and Family
Edward Unton was born in 1534. His father was Sir Alexander Unton from Wadley House in Faringdon, a town in England. When his father passed away in 1547, Edward inherited his family's lands and wealth.
In 1555, Edward Unton married Anne. Anne was the daughter of a very powerful man, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. Edward and Anne had seven children together. Two of their sons became quite famous:
- His oldest son, Edward, became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Berkshire. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government.
- His younger son, Sir Henry Unton, became an important English ambassador to France. An ambassador represents their country in another country.
Public Service and Career
Sir Edward Unton was recognized for his service and was knighted in 1559. This meant he was given the title "Sir."
He took on several important roles in government:
- In 1567, he was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire. The High Sheriff was responsible for keeping law and order in the county.
- He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas. He was an MP for Malmesbury in 1554, for Oxfordshire in 1563, and for Berkshire in 1572. As an MP, he helped make laws and decisions for the country.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir Edward Unton passed away in 1582. He was buried in the church at Faringdon. His tomb has a special message carved on it that tells about his life and family. It mentions his wife, Anne, and their children, especially his sons Edward and Henry, who continued the family name.
Sir Edward Unton left behind some debts when he died. This caused some difficulties for his daughter, Scissil (also known as Cicely), and her husband, John Wentworth, when they tried to get the lands he had left to her. These issues even led to a lawsuit.
