Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Guilford
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Portrait of Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford by John Riley, circa 1682
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| Lord Keeper of the Great Seal | |
| In office 1682–1685 |
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| Preceded by | The Earl of Nottingham |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Jeffreys |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francis North
22 October 1637 |
| Died | 5 September 1685 (aged 47) Wroxton Abbey, Oxfordshire |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge |
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford (born 22 October 1637 – died 5 September 1685) was an important English lawyer and politician. He was the third son of Dudley North, 4th Baron North. Francis North became Baron Guilford in 1683. He also held a very important job called Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. This role was similar to being the head judge or a top advisor to the King.
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Who Was Francis North?
Francis North was a highly respected lawyer and a loyal supporter of the King. He believed the King should have strong powers. He was known for his wide knowledge and his strong support for the royal family during a time of change in England.
Early Life and Career
Francis North studied at St John's College, Cambridge. He then trained to become a lawyer at the Middle Temple. He became a lawyer in 1661. He quickly became a very successful lawyer.
He held several important legal positions. These included Solicitor-General in 1671 and Attorney-General in 1673. In 1675, he became the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. This meant he was a top judge in one of England's main courts.
In 1679, he joined the Privy Council Ministry, a group of the King's closest advisors. Later, he became part of the Cabinet. In 1682, he was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. This was a very powerful position, similar to being the Lord Chancellor.
A Time of Trouble: The Popish Plot
Francis North was a judge during some of the trials related to the Popish Plot. This was a time when many people believed there was a secret plan to harm the King and change the religion of England. These claims were later found to be false.
Many people, including judges, were tricked by false information during this time. North's brother, Roger, wrote that "wise men behaved like stark fools" because of the widespread fear.
His Role as a Judge
When people started to realize the Popish Plot was based on lies, the government began to act against those who spread the false stories. North presided over the trial of a man named Stephen College in 1681. College was accused of a very serious crime against the country.
North's handling of this trial received some criticism. Many felt the evidence against College was weak. Despite this, College was found guilty and faced a severe punishment.
Character and Legacy
Francis North was generally seen as an honest and fair person. However, some people thought he was a bit too serious or self-important. There was even a funny, but untrue, rumor spread that he had been seen riding a rhinoceros!
One of his rivals, Lord Sunderland, disliked North very much. Sunderland made many harsh accusations against him. However, most people did not believe these claims. They thought North was a good and capable leader.
Francis North passed away on 5 September 1685, at the age of 47. He died at his country home, Wroxton Abbey, in Oxfordshire. His death was unexpected, possibly due to stress from his demanding job.
Family and Interests
In 1672, Francis North married Lady Frances Pope. She was the daughter of Thomas Pope, 3rd Earl of Downe. Frances inherited the beautiful Wroxton Abbey estate. Their only son, Francis North, 2nd Baron Guilford, became the 2nd Baron Guilford after his father's death.
Francis North was also very interested in music. He even wrote a book about music theory called A Philosophical essay on musick in 1677. This book explained the science behind music. His musical notes are considered some of the earliest examples of how sounds were recorded and played back.
