Edward Villiers (Master of the Mint) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Edward Villiers
Portrait of Sir Edward Villiers
Lord President of Munster
In office October 1625 – September 1626
Warden of the Mint
In office 1623–1626
Member of Parliament for Westminster
In office 1621–1625
Master of the Mint
In office 1619–1623
Personal details
Born	1585 Brooksby Hall, Leicestershire
Died	7 September, 1626 (aged 40–41) College of Youghal
Resting place	Collegiate Church of St Mary Youghal, Ireland
Spouse	Barbara St. John (1612–his death)
Children	William Villiers, 2nd Viscount Grandison John Villiers, 3rd Viscount Grandison George Villiers, 4th Viscount Grandison Edward Villiers Barbara Howard, Countess of Suffolk
Parents	Sir George Villiers (1544–1606); Audrey Saunders (died 1587)
Alma mater	Queens' College, Cambridge

Sir Edward Villiers (born around 1585 – died 7 September 1626) was an important English nobleman from Leicestershire. He was part of the famous Villiers family. His younger half-brother, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was a very close friend and advisor to both King James VI and I and his son, King Charles I. Because of his brother's influence, Sir Edward gained many important jobs. These included being the Master of the Mint, a Member of Parliament for Westminster, and the Lord President of Munster. He passed away in Ireland in September 1626.

Sir Edward Villiers' Family History

Edward Villiers was born around 1585. He was the second son of Sir George Villiers. His mother was Audrey Saunders, Sir George's first wife. Audrey passed away in 1587.

Edward had an older brother named Sir William Villiers. William became a baronet in 1619. Edward also had three sisters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Frances. His sister Anne married Sir William Washington. Sir William was the brother of Lawrence Washington, who was an ancestor of George Washington, the first President of the United States.

Edward's father, Sir George Villiers, married a second time. From this marriage, Edward had several half-siblings. His most famous half-brother was George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. George was a very powerful and close friend to King James I. Edward's other half-siblings included John Villiers, 1st Viscount Purbeck, Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey, and Susan Fielding. Susan was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Henrietta Maria.

Sir Edward Villiers' Career and Public Service

Sir Edward Villiers was knighted on 7 September 1616. This was an important honor. In October 1617, he took over as the Master of the Mint. This role meant he was in charge of making coins for the country. He held this job until 1623. In November 1618, he also became the comptroller of the Court of Wards. From 1623 until his death, he was the Warden of the Mint.

In December 1620, Villiers was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Westminster. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. Around the same time, he was sent to Frederick V, Elector Palatine. Frederick was a German prince. Villiers' job was to tell Frederick that England would help him, but only if he agreed to give up his claim to the crown of Bohemia.

Villiers returned to England and took his seat in Parliament. However, he was temporarily asked to leave because he tried to speak about a special permission, called a patent. He had invested a lot of money in this patent. His actions were later cleared by the House of Lords. He was then allowed to return to Parliament.

In September 1622, he was again sent to the Elector Frederick. This time, he had to convince Frederick to leave the Dutch army and agree to the Holy Roman Emperor. In 1624, he got his job as Master of the Mint back. He was re-elected as an MP for Westminster in January 1624 and again in April 1625.

In August 1625, he asked the Members of Parliament to stop attacking his half-brother, the Duke of Buckingham. He wanted to prevent Parliament from being closed down.

In January 1625, King James I appointed Villiers as the Lord President of Munster. This was a very important position in Ireland. King Charles I confirmed this appointment in May. In August, Villiers went to Ireland to start his duties. He held this job for just over a year.

Sir Edward Villiers passed away on 7 September 1626. He died in the College of Youghal in Ireland, which was his official home. He was buried in St. Mary's, Youghal.

Sir Edward Villiers' Marriage and Children

Around 1612, Edward Villiers married Barbara St John. Barbara was the daughter of Sir John St John. Edward and Barbara had ten children together.

Barbara's uncle was Oliver St John, 1st Viscount Grandison. Oliver St John had no children of his own. Edward's powerful half-brother, the Duke of Buckingham, helped arrange for Edward and his sons to inherit the Grandison title. This meant that after Oliver St John, the title would pass to Edward's family.

Edward's oldest son, William Villiers, became the 2nd Viscount Grandison in 1630. William was the father of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland. Barbara became a famous mistress of King Charles II.

Edward's second son, John Villiers, and third son, George Villiers, later became the 3rd and 4th Viscounts Grandison. His fourth son, Sir Edward Villiers, was the father of Edward Villiers, 1st Earl of Jersey.

Edward Villiers also had two daughters, Eleanor and Barbara. Eleanor Villiers was a maid of honour for Queen Henrietta Maria. She also performed in a play called The Shepherd's Paradise.

Edward's wife, Barbara, lived until 1672.