Henry Bertie (of Weston-on-the-Green) facts for kids
Henry Bertie (born around 1656 – died December 4, 1734) was an English soldier and politician. He was a member of the English House of Commons and later the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1678 to 1715. He belonged to the Tory political group. Bertie lived in Chesterton, Oxfordshire, and also served as a Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped keep law and order.
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Early Life and Political Beginnings
Henry Bertie was born into an important family. His father was Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey. Henry's mother, Lady Norreys, passed away shortly after he was born. She left him enough money to live comfortably, including land at Nutley.
Henry started his public service in Oxfordshire. From 1677 to 1680, he helped with tax collection. In 1678, he became a captain in a group of soldiers. This group was formed because people thought there might be a war with France. However, the soldiers were sent home the next year.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1678, Henry Bertie was chosen to run for a seat in Parliament for the town of Westbury. His older brother, Lord Norreys, helped him get elected. The Bertie family supported the King's party. They were against a local leader named William Trenchard. Henry won the election by 21 votes to 13.
He wasn't very active in Parliament at first. In fact, he was even asked to come in because he wasn't attending meetings. In the next election in March 1679, he lost his seat. However, he won it back in October 1679, along with another politician, Richard Lewis.
In 1681, Henry ran for Parliament in Woodstock instead. His brother, Lord Norreys, had a lot of influence there. Henry won this election without anyone running against him. He continued to serve the King's interests. For example, he helped in a legal case against Stephen College in 1681. He also became a captain in the Oxfordshire militia, which was a group of local soldiers. After a plot against the King was discovered in 1683, Henry helped search for hidden weapons.
In March 1685, Henry Bertie was elected as a Member of Parliament for Oxford. He received the most votes. He became more active in Parliament during this time. He joined committees that looked into elections and checked how money was being spent.
Serving During Rebellions and Changes
The Monmouth Rebellion
In 1685, a rebellion started, led by the Duke of Monmouth. Henry Bertie and his half-brother, Richard, were asked to raise their own groups of soldiers. On June 21, Henry led his Oxfordshire soldiers to fight against the rebels. His group of soldiers was later sent home in December.
Henry and Richard were among the officers who lost their jobs. This happened because they voted against King James II hiring Roman Catholic officers. The King was trying to make changes that many people, including Henry, didn't agree with. Henry was removed from his roles as a local official and militia captain in Oxfordshire.
The Glorious Revolution
By 1688, King James II's rule was becoming very unpopular. Many people, including Henry Bertie and his family, were unhappy with the King's policies. In November, Henry's brother, Lord Abingdon, was one of the first important people to openly support William of Orange. William was coming to England to take the throne.
On November 22, Henry Bertie and his father-in-law, Sir Edward Norreys, met with officials in Oxford. They decided to support William of Orange. A few days later, Henry led a group of men out of Oxford to join William's forces. He even helped rescue Lord Lovelace, a politician who had been captured while trying to join William. Henry returned to Oxford in December with Lord Lovelace's troops, who then took control of the city for William.
After William became King in 1689, Henry Bertie got his old jobs back. He was again a deputy lieutenant and a justice of the peace in Oxfordshire. He also became a militia captain again. He and Lord Norreys were elected to Parliament for Oxford once more. During this time, Henry had a big argument with another politician, Sir William Harbord. The argument was so serious that others had to step in to stop them from fighting.
Family Life
Before May 1687, Henry Bertie married Philadelphia Norreys. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Norreys. Henry and Philadelphia had five children:
- James Bertie (died 1728)
- Rev. Charles Montagu Bertie (died 1744), who was a rector (a type of priest)
- Eleanora Bertie
- Anne Bertie
- Catherine Bertie, who married Francis Carr Clerke
After Philadelphia passed away, Henry married Catherine Fetherston. They did not have any children together. Henry's brother-in-law, James Norreys, died in 1718 and left his land to Henry's oldest son, James.
Henry Bertie passed away in Chesterton, Oxfordshire in 1734.
See also
