Henry Mildmay facts for kids

Sir Henry Mildmay (born around 1593, died 1668) was an English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons at different times between 1621 and 1659. He supported the Parliamentarian side during the English Civil War. He was also one of the people involved in the trial and execution of Charles I of England.

Mildmay became a knight in 1617. In 1618, he was made the Master of the Jewel Office, which meant he was in charge of the King's jewels. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Maldon in 1621. He also represented Westbury in 1624, and Maldon again in 1625 and 1628. He served until 1629, when King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years.

In April 1640, Mildmay was again elected MP for Maldon in the Short Parliament. He was re-elected for Maldon in the Long Parliament in November 1640. He supported Parliament during the Civil War. He was also a commissioner for collecting money for the government from 1645 to 1652. In 1646, he was left as a hostage in Scotland. He remained in the Rump Parliament after Pride's Purge, which was when some MPs were removed. He was present at the trial of King Charles I.

Mildmay was a member of the Councils of State from 1649 to 1652. In 1660, he was asked to explain what happened to the King's jewels. He tried to run away but was caught. He was punished and sentenced to prison for the rest of his life. In 1664, he was ordered to be sent to Tangier, a city in North Africa, where he died four years later.

Sir Henry Mildmay: A Key Figure in English History

Sir Henry Mildmay was the second son of Humphrey Mildmay. His mother was Mary Capel. He grew up around the royal court and was good at sports and physical activities. In 1610, he started studying at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, which was founded by his grandfather, Sir Walter Mildmay. He finished his studies in 1612.

A historian named Clarendon described him as someone who was very good at praising people in power. He was also said to be a "spy" for them. On August 9, 1617, Mildmay was knighted by the King. In 1619, he made a good marriage and bought a large house called Wanstead House in Essex. He even hosted King James I there in June of that year.

In April 1620, he became the Master of the Jewel Office. This meant he was in charge of all the King's valuable jewels. He was elected as an MP for Maldon, Essex, and became its chief steward. He was also chosen to take part in a special tilting event for the King in March 1622. In February 1624, he was elected MP for Westbury, Wiltshire.

A Politician During Tumultuous Times

In the first Parliament of King Charles I's reign, which started in April 1625, Sir Henry again represented Maldon. He also represented Maldon in the Parliament of 1627–28, and in both the Short Parliament and the Long Parliament of 1640. In Parliament, he spoke about England's foreign policy. He suggested that money should be voted to help prepare the fleet against Spain.

In 1639, he went with King Charles I on a trip to Scotland. He also tried to collect money for the army in Essex in May 1640, but found it difficult. In April 1641, he voted against a bill that would have punished Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Strafford.

Supporting Parliament

Sir Henry eventually stopped supporting the King and joined the Parliament's side. Parliament allowed him to keep his job as Master of the Jewel House. He became useful by helping foreign ambassadors and was active in committees for Essex.

From 1645 to 1652, he was a commissioner for the government's money. Because he was wealthy, Sir Henry was one of the people left as a hostage with the Scots in December 1646. In January 1648, he gave a speech praising Archibald Campbell, the Marquess of Argyll. He suggested that Argyll should be paid £10,000.

The Trial of King Charles I

Sir Henry was chosen as one of the judges for the King's trial. He attended the trial on January 23, 1649. However, he did not sign the order for the King's execution. He was a member of the Councils of State in 1649, 1650, 1651, and 1652. He also served on a committee that looked into forming a West India Company. In July 1649, Parliament ordered that £2,000 he had lent to King Charles I be paid back to him.

In the summer of 1650, news arrived that King Charles II had landed in Scotland. Sir Henry suggested that the late King's three younger children should be kept safe in Carisbrooke Castle. His brother Anthony was the governor of this castle. After this, he was less involved in major events.

Later Life and Legacy

On May 15, 1660, Sir Henry was asked to explain where the crowns, robes, and jewels belonging to the King were. He tried to escape abroad but was caught. He was not included in the General Pardon Bill. He was later brought before the House of Commons. After admitting his actions, he was stripped of his honors and titles.

He was also sentenced to a yearly punishment. Every year, on the anniversary of the King's sentence (January 27), he was to be pulled on a sledge through the streets. He would go to the gallows at Tyburn with a rope around his neck, then return to the Tower of London. He was to remain a prisoner there for the rest of his life.

In 1664, an order was given for Mildmay to be sent to Tangier. Because he was in poor health, he was allowed a servant to go with him. He died in Tangier around 1668. Most of his wealth was taken by the Crown. His estate at Wanstead was given to James, Duke of York.

Family

Sir Henry married Anne Holliday in April 1619. She was the daughter of William Holliday, a London merchant. They had two sons, William and Henry, and three daughters: Susan, Anne, and Mary.