Henry Mordaunt, 2nd Earl of Peterborough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Mordaunt
2nd Earl of Peterborough
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| Born | 15 November 1621 |
| Died | 19 June 1697 (aged 75) |
| Allegiance | England |
Henry Mordaunt, 2nd Earl of Peterborough (born November 15, 1621 – died June 19, 1697) was an important English soldier and nobleman. He lived during a time of great change in England. He served both King Charles I and King Charles II.
Contents
Early Life and Civil War Service
Henry Mordaunt was known as Lord Mordaunt from 1628. He was the oldest son of John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough. Henry went to Eton College for his education. Just before the First English Civil War began, he was sent to France for safety.
He came back to England in 1642. For a short time, he served in the army that supported Parliament. He led a group of horse soldiers for his sick father. In April 1643, after his father passed away, he switched sides. He joined the King's army in Oxford.
Now called the Earl of Peterborough, he became a Cavalier. He fought in several battles in 1643. These included the battles of Bristol, Gloucester, and Newbury. At Newbury, he was hurt in his arm and leg. His horse was also shot from under him.
He led a new group of soldiers that he paid for himself. He served in the west of England during 1644. He fought at Cropredy Bridge and Lostwithiel. Around December 1644, he married Lady Penelope O'Brien. They had two daughters together.
Henry was in France during the later parts of the war. In 1646, he returned to England. He paid a fine to keep his family's lands. He met with King Charles I in 1647. This meeting made him want to help the King one last time. In July 1648, he joined other noblemen. They tried to start a rebellion for the King.
Their plan was to take over Reigate. But they failed and were pushed back. The King's supporters were scattered by Parliament's forces. This happened near Harrow on July 7. Mordaunt was badly wounded. But he managed to escape to Antwerp. The next year, he came back to England. He again paid a fine to keep his lands.
Serving King Charles II
When King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza in 1661, England gained control of English Tangier. This city was part of the Queen's dowry. Peterborough was sent there as its Governor. He arrived on January 29, 1662. He commanded a new group of soldiers from England. This group became known as the Tangier Regiment.
His soldiers were not well-prepared. They lacked basic supplies like fuel, beds, and cooking pots. In April 1662, he made a peace agreement with the local people. But in a terrible attack on May 3, 1662, his forces were badly beaten. He kept the remaining troops inside the city walls. Then he returned to England unexpectedly. He arrived in Plymouth on June 8, 1662. He was sent back with some extra soldiers. But he was called back again in December that year. Andrew Rutherford took his place. Peterborough was given a good pension.
He also served in the Dutch war. First, he was a volunteer on a fleet led by the Earl of Sandwich. Later, he commanded the ship Unicorn. This was at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. He served under James, Duke of York. He later commanded the ship Prince at the Battle of Solebay in 1672.
In 1670, he became a special attendant to the Duke of York. This role was called Groom of the Stole. In February 1673, he was sent as an ambassador. His job was to arrange the Duke's marriage. The Duke was supposed to marry Archduchess Claudia Felicitas of Innsbruck. But the Emperor Leopold I decided to marry her himself. This ended the plan.
Peterborough then had to find another bride for the Duke. He looked at Princess Mary of Modena and other ladies. Mary was chosen. In August, Peterborough went to Modena as an ambassador. He arranged the marriage. There were some concerns about religion. But the family's worries were overcome. Peterborough stood in for the Duke at the wedding on September 30, 1673. Then he brought the princess to England.
On July 10, 1674, Peterborough joined the Privy Council. This was a group of trusted advisors to the King. In 1676, he became a deputy earl-marshal. In 1680, he lost this job and his pension. He was also removed from the council. This was because of false accusations during the time of the Popish Plot. Despite being sick, he went to vote against the unfair judgment of Lord Stafford. In October 1681, the Duke of York called him to Scotland. He returned to England with the Duke in March. On February 28, 1683, he got his place on the council back.
Under King James II
Peterborough carried a special scepter at the coronation of King James II. King James made him Groom of the Stole again. He also made him a Knight of the Garter in 1685. He became the colonel of the 3rd regiment of horse soldiers. In March 1687, he joined the Roman Catholic Church. When the King fled England in 1688, Peterborough tried to escape with him. He was caught near Ramsgate and sent to the Tower of London on December 24.
Later Years
He lost all his important jobs. On October 26, 1689, he was accused of high treason. This was for leaving his loyalty to the King and joining the Roman Catholic Church. The legal process stopped later. On October 9, 1690, he was released on bail. In February 1696, he was again suspected of disloyal actions. He was kept at his home. But he was set free in May.
Peterborough owned large estates in Turvey and Drayton, Northamptonshire. He was also a lord-lieutenant for Northamptonshire for many years. He died on June 19, 1697. He was buried in the church in Turvey.
Family Life
Peterborough married Lady Penelope O'Brien in 1644. She was the daughter of Barnabas O'Brien, 6th Earl of Thomond. They had two daughters. Elizabeth died without marrying. Mary married Henry Howard, 7th Duke of Norfolk. The Countess of Peterborough was a special attendant to Mary of Modena. She lived until April 1702. The famous diarist Samuel Pepys thought she was a very smart woman.
When Henry Mordaunt died in 1697, his title of Earl passed to his nephew, the Earl of Monmouth. His other title, Baron Mordaunt, could be passed through the female line. So it went to his daughter, Mary. Since she had no children, the barony returned to the Earls of Peterborough. That title ended in 1814.
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