George Dacre, 5th Baron Dacre facts for kids
George Dacre, 5th Baron Dacre of Gilsland (born around 1561 – died 17 May 1569) was an important English nobleman. He held the title of Baron Dacre and was also known as Baron Greystoke. Even though he was very young, he owned a lot of land in Cumberland, a county in England. He was even called to join the English Parliament when he was only about five years old.
Early Life and Family
George Dacre was born around 1561. He was the only son of Thomas Dacre, 4th Baron Dacre, who was also a nobleman, and his wife, Elizabeth Leyburne. Elizabeth was the oldest daughter of Sir James Leyburne from Westmorland. George's father had been married before, but this was his second marriage.
George had a younger brother named Francis, but sadly, Francis died when he was a baby. George also had three sisters:
- Anne (born 21 March 1557 – died 19 April 1630)
- Mary (born 4 July 1563 – died 7 April 1578)
- Elizabeth (born 12 December 1564)
Becoming a Baron
When George was just five years old, his father, Thomas Dacre, passed away on 1 July 1566. This meant that George inherited his father's title and became the 5th Baron Dacre.
Soon after his father's death, George's mother, Elizabeth, married a very important man named Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. However, she died on 4 September 1567 while giving birth. This left George and his three sisters without their parents. They then lived in the home of their stepfather, the Duke of Norfolk.
A Young Member of Parliament
Even though he was only about five years old, George Dacre was officially called to attend Parliament on 30 September 1566. This was a very unusual thing for someone so young.
His Untimely Death
George Dacre died on 17 May 1569, when he was still a young boy. After his death, there was a question about who would inherit the title of Baron Dacre. His uncle, Leonard Dacre, tried to claim it. However, it was decided that the title would go into abeyance. This means the title was put on hold because there was no clear male heir.
Instead, George's three sisters became the co-heiresses, meaning they shared the right to the family's lands and wealth. By the time they were fourteen years old, each of George's sisters had married one of their stepbrothers, who were the sons of the Duke of Norfolk.
