Edward Vaux, 4th Baron Vaux of Harrowden facts for kids

Edward Vaux, 4th Baron Vaux of Harrowden, was an important English nobleman. He was born on September 13, 1588, and passed away on September 8, 1661. Edward became Baron Vaux of Harrowden in August 1595, just before his seventh birthday. He inherited this title from his grandfather, William Vaux, 3rd Baron Vaux of Harrowden.

Early Life and Faith

A Family of Strong Beliefs

Edward's family, the Vaux and Roper families, were Catholic. During the time of Queen Elizabeth I, Catholics in England faced challenges. People who refused to attend the official Church of England services were called "recusants." Edward's grandfather was fined many times for being a recusant.

When Edward's grandfather died, Edward was still a child. This meant the queen became his guardian. His mother, Elizabeth Vaux, was very sad after her husband died. She decided not to marry again and spent her life focused on her faith.

Secret Rooms and Challenges

While Edward was young, his family's home at Great Harrowden was updated. His mother added hidden rooms. These secret spaces were used to hide Catholic priests, including her confessor, a Jesuit named John Gerard. The authorities watched her activities closely.

After the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, both Edward and his mother were investigated. This plot was a plan to blow up the Parliament building. Edward thought it was safer to travel abroad for a few years.

Facing the King

Edward returned to England in 1611. He came back to help his mother, who had been arrested for being a recusant. He refused to take the 1606 Oath of Allegiance to King James I. This oath would have meant denying the pope's authority over the king. Because of this, Edward was sent to the Fleet prison.

In 1612, he was sentenced to stay in prison and lose his property. However, he was later transferred to the care of the Dean of Westminster. He also got back some of his lands. Edward had already protected some family estates by putting them into a land trust with Protestant neighbors. This was against the law, but it helped save the land. He was later released after paying a large sum of money.

Military Service

Joining the Army

In 1621, Edward Vaux was called to the Parliament. King James I wanted to raise money to help his son-in-law, Frederick V, Elector Palatine, in a war. Parliament, however, wanted to stop the planned marriage between Prince Charles and a Spanish princess. They also wanted to go to war with Spain. King James then closed Parliament.

The king allowed volunteers to join the Spanish Army in Flanders. This army often used soldiers from other countries. He also paused the rule that required volunteers to take the Oath of Allegiance before leaving England.

A Difficult Choice

In 1622, Edward Vaux was allowed to gather a group of English Catholics to fight for Spain. But at the Siege of Bergen op Zoom, he was surprised. His regiment faced English Protestant troops, even though Spain had promised this would not happen. Many of his men left the army rather than fight against their fellow countrymen.

Later, in 1639, Edward paid money to avoid serving King Charles I in a military trip to Scotland. This trip was part of the First Bishops' War.

Marriage and Family

A Love Story

When Edward was seventeen, his mother tried to arrange his marriage to Elizabeth Howard. She was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk. However, these marriage plans stopped after the Gunpowder Plot. Elizabeth instead married William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury, who was much older than her, in 1605.

Even so, Edward and Elizabeth Howard seemed to have fallen in love. They married in June 1632, just five weeks after her first husband died. Edward and Elizabeth did not have children together. However, Elizabeth had two sons, Edward (born 1627) and Nicolas (born 1631), during her first marriage. These sons were later connected to Edward Vaux's family.

Titles and Inheritance

In 1641, the courts decided that Elizabeth's son, Edward, was the Earl of Banbury. When he passed away at age 18, his brother Nicholas took the title. Nicholas had used the last name "Vaux." In 1646, Edward Vaux gave all his estates to Nicholas. He referred to him as "now Earl of Banbury, heretofore called Nicholas Vaux." This meant his own legal heirs did not receive the property.

Later, in 1660, the House of Lords questioned Nicholas's right to the title. This led to a long legal fight over the Banbury peerage, which continued through Nicholas's family (see Knollys family).

Edward Vaux's wife, Elizabeth, passed away on April 17, 1658, at age 71. Edward Vaux died on September 8, 1661, at age 74. Both were buried in Dorking, Surrey.

Since Edward had no legal children, his brother Henry inherited the Barony of Vaux of Harrowden. Henry later died in 1663 without children.

In 1632, Edward also bought more land in the area. He purchased the Manor of Little Harrowden from John Sanderson and his family.