Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton facts for kids
Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton (born July 14, 1544 – died December 10, 1589), was an important English noble and a member of the Parliament. He played a role in the government during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Early Life and Family
Henry Compton was born in 1544. Sadly, his father, Peter Compton, had already passed away before Henry was born. This is why he is called a "posthumous son." His family was well-known, and his grandfather was Sir William Compton.
Henry grew up at Compton Wynyates, his family's home. In 1563, he began studying law at Gray's Inn, a famous place for legal training in London. He became a knight in 1567, which was an honor given by the Queen.
Political Career
Henry Compton started his political journey early. In 1563, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Sarum. An MP is someone chosen to represent an area in the country's government, making laws and decisions.
Later, from 1571 to 1572, he served as the High Sheriff of Warwickshire. A High Sheriff was a very important local official, responsible for keeping peace and order in the county.
Becoming a Baron
In 1572, Henry Compton received a special honor from the Queen. He was "summoned" to the House of Lords as Baron Compton. This meant he became a noble, or "peer," and could take part in the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the British Parliament. The title "Baron" is a high rank in the nobility.
As Lord Compton, he took part in important events. In 1586, he was one of the nobles present at the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Family and Legacy
Lord Compton was married twice. His first wife was Frances Hastings. They had one son together, named William.
His second wife was Anne Spencer. With Anne, he had two more sons.
Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton, passed away in December 1589 when he was 45 years old. His son, William, inherited his title and became the next Baron Compton. William later received an even higher title, becoming the Earl of Northampton in 1618.
Another one of Henry's sons, Thomas, married Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. Mary was the mother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, who became a very powerful and famous person in the royal court.
