Francis Vernon, 1st Earl of Shipbrook facts for kids
Francis Vernon, 1st Earl of Shipbrook (born 1715 – died October 15, 1783) was an important English politician. He was known by different special titles during his life, including The Lord Orwell and The Viscount Orwell, before becoming the Earl of Shipbrook.
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Who Was Francis Vernon?
Francis Vernon was a notable figure in English politics during the 1700s. He held several important positions and was given special titles, showing his influence at the time. His life story gives us a peek into how politics worked many years ago.
Early Life and Family
Francis Vernon was the son of a man named James Vernon. His mother was Arethusa, whose father was Charles Boyle, Lord Clifford. The Vernon family had a long history, and their earliest known home was Shipbrook Castle in Cheshire, England.
A Career in Politics
Francis Vernon became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Ipswich. An MP is like a representative who helps make laws for the country. He served in this role from 1762 to 1768. This was an important job, showing he was trusted to speak for the people of Ipswich in the government.
Earning Special Titles
In 1762, Francis Vernon received his first special title. He was made Baron Orwell, a title in the Peerage of Ireland. This meant he became a "peer," a person with a high social rank, and could be called "Lord Orwell." The title was linked to a place called Newry in County Down, Ireland.
He received even more honors later on. In 1776, he was made Viscount Orwell. This was an even higher rank than a Baron. Then, in 1777, he was given the highest title of all: Earl of Shipbrook. This title was also connected to Newry in County Down. These titles showed his growing importance and status in society.
His Family and Legacy
Francis Vernon married a woman named Alice, who was the daughter of Samuel Ibbetson. They had a son, also named Francis, who was born in 1752. Sadly, their son passed away when he was young, in 1760.
Lord Shipbrook, as he was known by his highest title, died in October 1783. Since his son had passed away before him and he had no other children to inherit his titles, all of his special titles came to an end when he died. This is called "extinct," meaning they no longer existed.
