Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Marquess of Worcester
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| Born | 1577 |
| Died | 18 December 1646 |
| Noble family | House of Somerset |
| Spouse(s) | Hon. Anne Russell |
| Issue | Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester |
| Father | Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester |
| Mother | Elizabeth Hastings, Countess of Worcester |
Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester (born 1577 – died 18 December 1646) was an important English nobleman. He was a very rich supporter of the King during the early years of the English Civil War. These supporters were known as Royalists.
Contents
Henry Somerset's Life
Henry Somerset was the son of Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Hastings. In 1628, he became the 5th Earl of Worcester after his father passed away.
His Faith and Wealth
Henry was raised as a Protestant, but he chose to become a Catholic when he was young. He was known for being one of the wealthiest nobles of his time. People at the time estimated his yearly income was about £24,000. He was very good at managing his money and property. He also gained more wealth through inheritance and marriage.
When the Civil War began, Henry Somerset claimed he had spent and lent over £900,000 to help King Charles I. This was a huge amount of money back then!
Supporting the King
King Charles I asked Henry to stay out of public view. This was because Henry was a Catholic, and at that time, Catholics faced difficulties in England. Some other Catholics, like Gwilym Puw and Thomas Bayly, stayed with him at Raglan Castle. People in his local area supported him because he wasn't seen as a typical person from the King's court.
Because of his strong financial support for King Charles I at the start of the First English Civil War, Henry Somerset was given a special new title. He became the 1st Marquess of Worcester on 2 November 1642.
Raglan Castle and the War
After the Battle of Naseby, King Charles I needed a safe place to stay. He found refuge at Raglan Castle, Henry Somerset's home, from June to September 1645.
The next year, in 1646, Henry Somerset was forced to give up Raglan Castle to the forces of Sir Thomas Morgan, 1st Baronet. This event was a big moment, as it marked the end of the Civil War in Wales. Henry was then taken into custody by the Parliament's forces. He passed away in Covent Garden on 18 December 1646.
Henry Somerset's Family
On 16 June 1600, Henry Somerset married Anne Russell. She was the daughter of John Russell, Baron Russell.
Their Wedding and Celebration
Their wedding was a grand event! A famous painting by Robert Peake the Elder shows the wedding procession. It even shows Queen Elizabeth I riding in a special chair called a litter.
After the wedding, there was a big feast and a special performance called a masque. This was a "strange dance" performed by eight women. They wore silver skirts and gold waistcoats. The famous courtier Mary Fitton led the dance. Other dancers included Dorothy Hastings, Mistress Carey, Mistress Onslow, Mistress Southwell, Bess Russell, Mistress Darcy, and Blanche Somerset. Even the Queen herself joined in the dancing!
Children of Henry and Anne
Henry and Anne had a large family with nine sons and four daughters. Their oldest son, Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester, became the next Marquess.
Another son, Thomas Somerset, became a Catholic priest. He lived in Rome for a while and later worked for the Pope in England. He passed away in Dunkirk in 1678. Their youngest daughter, Elizabeth, married Francis Browne, 3rd Viscount Montagu.
