Francis Darcy facts for kids

Sir Francis Darcy (died 29 November 1641) was an English soldier and politician. He served in the English Parliament at different times between 1601 and 1629.

Early Life and Family Connections

Francis Darcy was the son of Sir Arthur Darcy. His grandfather was Thomas, Lord Darcy, a well-known figure of his time. Around 1591, Francis Darcy married Katherine (or Elizabeth) Legh. She was the daughter of Edward Legh from Rushall, Staffordshire. They had three daughters together. Francis also had two brothers, Edward Darcy and Sir Henry Darcy.

A Career in the Military

Sir Francis Darcy had a long and active military career. In 1585, he became a captain in Colonel Morgan’s regiment. He served under the Earl of Leicester in the Netherlands.

Later, in 1591, he fought alongside the Earl of Essex at Rouen. During the siege of Rouen that same year, he was honored with a knighthood. This meant he became "Sir Francis Darcy." In 1599, he was made a colonel of foot soldiers. This was for the Earl of Essex’s journey to Ireland.

Public Service and Politics

After his military service, Sir Francis Darcy settled in Isleworth in 1592. He took on important roles in his community. By 1596, he became a Justice of the Peace (J.P.). This meant he helped keep law and order in his area. In 1598, he became a commissioner for musters. This role involved organizing and checking the local military forces. He was known for his great experience in military matters.

In 1601, he became the provost marshal of Middlesex. This was a position of authority, similar to a military police chief. That same year, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lymington. This meant he represented the people of Lymington in the English Parliament.

In 1603, Sir Francis Darcy served as an ambassador to Denmark. An ambassador is a representative of their country in another nation. He also worked as an equerry of the stable. This was a position in the royal household, caring for the King's horses.

Serving in Parliament

Sir Francis Darcy continued his political career. In 1621, he was elected as an MP for Middlesex. He served in Parliament during this time. He was elected again for Middlesex in 1628. He remained an MP until 1629. At this point, King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years.

Later Life

Sir Francis Darcy passed away on November 29, 1641. He was buried alongside his wife in Isleworth. A special monument was built there to remember him.