Gervase Clifton, 1st Baron Clifton facts for kids

Arms of Clifton of Clifton, Nottinghamshire: The family shield of Baron Clifton.

Gervase Clifton, 1st Baron Clifton (born around 1570 – died 1618), was an important English nobleman. He held the title of Baron Clifton and was known for his family's history and his work in politics.

Gervase Clifton's Family History

Gervase Clifton came from a notable family. His father was Sir John Clifton, who lived at Barrington Court in Somerset. His mother was Anne Stanley, whose father was Thomas Stanley, 2nd Baron Monteagle.

Gervase's grandfather was Sir William Clifton, a successful merchant from London. Sir William bought the large estate of Barrington from Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk.

His great-grandfather was also named Gervase Clifton. This older Gervase worked at the Customs House in London. He was the younger son of a very important knight, Sir Gervase Clifton (who died in 1508). This Sir Gervase was from Clifton Hall, Nottingham, and he was a High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests in 1502.

Another branch of the family, descended from Sir Gervase Clifton's eldest son, later became known as the Clifton baronets. This special title was created in 1611.

Gervase Clifton's Career and Life

Gervase Clifton received a good education. He studied at St Alban Hall, Oxford, in 1586, and then at Gray's Inn in 1588. These were important places for learning in his time.

In 1591, he became a Knight of the Shire for Huntingdonshire. This meant he was a representative for the area. That same year, he settled in Leighton Bromswold and married Katherine, who was the daughter of Sir Henry Darcy. Sir Henry had also been a Knight of the Shire. By 1597, Gervase was knighted, which was a great honor.

From 1597 to 1598, and again in 1601, Gervase Clifton served as a MP for Huntingdonshire. This meant he helped make laws and decisions for the country.

In 1605, he sold his family estate at Barrington Court. He then moved his main home to Leighton Bromswold in Huntingdonshire.

Becoming Baron Clifton

In 1608, Gervase Clifton was given a very special title. He was made a Peer by a special document called a "writ of summons." This made him Baron Clifton, of Leighton Bromswold. This old way of creating a title meant that it could be passed down through female family members, which was quite unusual for the time.

Sadly, Gervase Clifton faced some difficult times. His only son had passed away in 1602. Because his son was no longer alive, when Gervase Clifton died in 1618, his title of Baron Clifton passed to his daughter, Katherine.

Sources

• History of Parliament
• Tudor Place
• Burke's Peerage & Gentry, 107th edition