Henry Norwood facts for kids

Henry Norwood (born around 1614 – died 1689) was an important figure in English history. He came from Bishampton, Worcestershire, and later lived in Leckhampton, Gloucestershire. He strongly supported the Royalist side during the English Civil War.

Norwood was a brave cavalry officer. He fought in battles like Bristol and Worcester. After the Royalists lost the war and King Charles I was tried, Henry Norwood traveled to Virginia. His cousin, Sir William Berkeley, was the governor there.

When he returned to England, he helped plan Royalist uprisings. He was even sent to the Tower of London for his actions. After being released, he helped King Charles II of England return to power. He became a deputy governor in Dunkirk. Later, he was sent to Tangier and eventually became its governor.

Henry Norwood also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Gloucester starting in 1675. He passed away in Leckhampton in 1689 and was buried at St Peter's Church, Leckhampton.

Henry Norwood's Early Life & the Civil War

Henry Norwood was the second son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney. He was born around 1614. His father died when Henry was very young, in 1616.

Not much is known about his early years. In 1637, he joined the Inner Temple, a place where people studied law. However, the English Civil War began, and his plans to become a lawyer changed. He became a soldier instead.

Joining the Royalist Army

Norwood joined the Royalist forces early in the Civil War. In December 1642, he was asked to gather a troop of soldiers in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. By 1643, he was a Captain under Prince Rupert at the Storming of Bristol. He stayed with his unit until Worcester surrendered in 1646.

After the surrender, soldiers were allowed to go home or leave the country. Norwood chose to go overseas. He met other Royalists in Holland, including Majors Francis Moryson and Richard Fox. They decided to seek their fortunes in Virginia. Norwood had a connection there: his second cousin, Sir William Berkeley, was the Governor of Virginia.

Journey to Virginia

After King Charles I's trial in 1649, Norwood, Moryson, and Fox met in London. They found a ship called The Virginia Merchant heading to Virginia. On September 23, 1649, they set sail from England with about 130 other people.

A Difficult Voyage

Henry Norwood later wrote about this journey in a book called A Voyage to Virginia. The ship faced many challenges. It stopped at Fyall and then sailed towards Bermuda. Storms hit the ship, damaging its masts and front part.

On January 4, 1650, the damaged ship finally reached land. This place is now thought to be Ocean City, Maryland. Norwood and others went ashore to find fresh water. The ship then unexpectedly sailed away, leaving them stranded.

Finding Help and Reaching Jamestown

After about ten days, friendly Native Americans found the group. They took them to their village. When Norwood mentioned "Accawmacke" (an English settlement), the chief sent word there.

A trader named Jenkin Price came to find them. Norwood traveled with Price to Littleton's Plantation in Northampton County, Virginia. From there, he continued his journey, crossing Chesapeake Bay to the York River. Finally, he reached Jamestown and arrived at Sir William Berkeley's house around mid-February.

Becoming Treasurer of Virginia

Governor Berkeley helped Norwood. He gave him money to buy the job of Treasurer of Virginia. In May 1650, Norwood went to Holland to complete this. King Charles II, who was in Scotland at the time, officially appointed Norwood as "Escheator, Treasurer and Receiver of Quit Rents in Virginia."

It's not clear if Norwood ever returned to Virginia after this. The political situation between Virginia and England was tense. However, Norwood continued to receive income from this position for many years. His friend Moryson acted as his agent in Virginia.

Life During the English Interregnum

After leaving Holland in May 1650, not much is known about Norwood's exact whereabouts for a while. His appointment as Treasurer of Virginia was dated September 22, 1650. It is unlikely he was in Scotland to meet the King at that time.

In April 1652, Norwood was in England and was arrested in Kent. He was suspected of being involved in the killing of Dr. Isaac Dorislaus, a judge in King Charles I's trial. However, Norwood was later released without a trial.

Imprisonment and Release

In late 1654, Norwood was involved in buying and moving firearms. This was likely part of a plan for Royalist uprisings. He was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was questioned by important figures like John Thurloe and even Oliver Cromwell.

No charges were brought against him, but he remained in prison. In September 1656, he asked for his release. He was in financial difficulty, and the state eventually paid his debts and gave him an allowance. While in the Tower, he secretly communicated with other Royalist agents.

Cromwell ordered him moved to Jersey, where he stayed until February 1659. He was released by Richard Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell's son.

Return to Royalist Activities

Norwood's release from Jersey came with conditions. He was not supposed to enter England without permission or act against the Commonwealth. However, he soon returned to England and was in regular contact with the exiled King Charles II's court.

He tried to raise troops in Shropshire and Cheshire in July 1659. He was captured with Sir George Booth but managed to hide his identity and was soon released. In March 1660, Norwood traveled from England to Brussels to meet the King. He returned with important letters.

Around this time, he was given a special role as an Esquire of the Body, which meant he would attend King Charles II's coronation. On April 21, 1660, Samuel Pepys met him and helped him travel to Brill, likely to meet the King.

After the King was restored to the throne, Norwood was made Captain of Sandown Castle for life. This was mostly an honorary title with a salary. In September 1661, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel in Dunkirk, which was then an English territory. By March 1662, he was the Deputy Governor there.

Service in Tangier

In 1664, Henry Norwood was sent to Tangier. He became a Colonel of the Queen's Royal Regiment, also known as the Tangier Regiment of Foot. This regiment protected the town. Tangier had become part of England when Catherine of Braganza married Charles II of England in 1662. However, it was constantly under threat from local forces.

In June 1666, Norwood became the Governor of Tangier, taking over from John, Baron Belasyse. Belasyse had resigned because he could not accept a new law called the Act of Uniformity. Norwood returned to England in 1669, and John Middleton, Earl of Middleton took his place as colonel and governor.

Political Career in England

Leckhampton Court, Gloucestershire, where Henry Norwood lived.

Back in England, Henry Norwood gave up his Virginia Treasury job. He then acquired the position of Warden of the Fleet Prison, though he hired someone else to do the actual work. He bought Leckhampton Court, a property near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, from his cousin. He moved in and became involved in local politics.

In April 1672, he was elected an alderman of Gloucester for life. Later that year, he was elected Mayor of the city.

In 1675, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Gloucester. However, it took three years for his election to be officially confirmed. He was not a very active MP and did not seek re-election in 1679. In 1683, he was also appointed a Deputy-Lieutenant for the county, a role he held until his death.

Henry Norwood never married. He passed away on September 14, 1689. He was buried in St Peter's churchyard in Leckhampton. He left his Leckhampton estate to the sons of the cousin from whom he had bought it.