Henry Carey, 2nd Earl of Monmouth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Carey
Earl of Monmouth
The Earl of Monmouth and his wife.
Born	(1595-01-15)15 January 1595 Denham, Buckinghamshire
Died	13 June 1661(1661-06-13) (aged 65) Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Spouse(s)	Martha Cranfield
Father	Robert Carey, 1st Earl of Monmouth
Mother	Elizabeth Trevannion

Henry Carey, 2nd Earl of Monmouth, KB (born January 15, 1596 – died June 13, 1661) was an English nobleman. He was best known for his many translations of books from other languages.

Early Life and Education

Henry Carey was born in Denham, Buckinghamshire. His parents were Robert Carey, 1st Earl of Monmouth, and Elizabeth Trevannion. He spent his early years living in different places where his father worked. After Queen Elizabeth died, his family moved closer to the royal court.

In 1611, Henry started studying at Exeter College, Oxford. He earned his first degree in 1613. After college, he spent three years traveling around Europe. During this time, he became very good at speaking different foreign languages.

Becoming a Knight and Marriage

Henry returned to England in 1616. He was one of 26 people made a Knight of the Bath. This special honor happened when Charles became prince of Wales. Henry's father was not a nobleman, which made his knighthood even more special.

Henry did not want to spend his life at court. His parents then worked to find him a good marriage. In 1620, he married Martha Cranfield. She was the oldest daughter of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex. Her father later became a very important government official.

Life as an Earl and Translator

After his marriage, Henry mostly lived a quiet life. He spent his time reading and working on his books in the countryside. In 1639, his father died, and Henry became the Earl of Monmouth. This change did not make him alter his habits much.

He only spoke once in the House of Lords, which is part of the English Parliament. This was in 1641, about a law to remove bishops from Parliament. When King Charles I made an important statement in 1642, Henry's name was on it. However, after this, he stopped being involved in politics.

From then until his death, Henry was very busy translating books. He translated many works from Italian and French into English. He seemed to prefer his studies to the busy world around him. Henry was not as energetic as his father or grandfather. He was a respected translator, but not much is known about his own writings or personality.

He also served as a Member of Parliament four times. He represented different areas like Camelford, Beverley, Tregony, and St Mawes between 1621 and 1626.

Translated Works

Henry Carey was a very busy translator. He helped bring many important European books to English readers.

• In 1637, he translated Romulus and Tarquin by Virgilio Malvezzi from Italian.
• In 1641, he translated An History of the Civill Warres of England by Giovanni Francesco Biondi. This was also from Italian.
• His translation of The Complete History of the Wars of Flanders by Cardinal Guido Bentivoglio came out in 1654.
• In 1658, he translated Istoria Veneziana (The History of Venice) by Paolo Paruta. This book was published in London that same year.
• His last translation was The History of France by Gualdo Priorato. He did not finish it before he died. William Brent completed it in 1676.

Family and Children

The 2nd Earl of Monmouth (left), posing with members of his family, c. 1617.

Henry married Martha Cranfield. She was the daughter of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex. Henry and Martha had ten children together.

• Lionel Carey (born around 1622). He died fighting for the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
• Henry Carey (1623 – November 5, 1649) married Lady Mary Scrope.
• Lady Anne Carey (around 1626 – January 15, 1688/89) married James Hamilton, then Robert Maxwell.
• Lady Philadelphia Carey (born around 1628 – died before June 1661).
• Lady Elizabeth Carey (born around 1630 – December 14, 1676).
• Lady Mary Carey (born around 1632 – died after 1682) married William Feilding, 3rd Earl of Denbigh.
• Lady Trevaniana Carey (born around 1634 – died before June 1661).
• Lady Martha Carey (born around 1635 – January 23, 1705) married John Middleton.
• Lady Theophila Carey (born around 1637 – died before June 1661).
• Lady Magdalena Carey (born around 1639 – died before June 1661).

Henry Carey died in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, on June 13, 1661. Since he had no surviving sons, his title of Earl of Monmouth ended with him.