James Harington (1542–1614) facts for kids
Sir James Harington, 1st Baronet (1542–1613/4) was an important English politician from Ridlington, Rutland. He was known for his work in government during his time.
James was the third son of Sir James Harington of Exton, Rutland and Lucy Sidney. His mother was from Penshurst. He went to school at Shrewsbury School and then studied at Christ's College, Cambridge.
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Sir James's Public Service
James Harington held several important jobs in his community. He was the High Sheriff of Rutland twice, first from 1593 to 1594, and again from 1601 to 1602. A High Sheriff was like a chief law enforcement officer for a county.
He also served as a Member of Parliament for Rutland in 1597 and 1604. This meant he represented his area in the English Parliament. In 1601, he was made a knight. Later, on June 29, 1611, he was given the special title of Baronet.
In 1606, he became the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. He had bought land in Oxfordshire because of his second marriage.
His Later Years and Family
Sir James Harington passed away on February 3, 1613 or 1614. A special monument in the Church of St Mary Magdalene and St Andrew, Ridlington remembers him. It also honors his first wife, Frances Sapcote, and their many children. They had nine sons and seven daughters.
Sir James's Marriages
Sir James Harington was married twice. His first wife was Frances Sapcote, who passed away in 1599. She was the daughter of Robert Sapcote from Elton.
His second wife was Anne Bernard. She was the widow of a man named John Doyley. In 1601, Sir James's oldest son married Anne's daughter. This was a double wedding! Anne's daughter was also an heir to John Doyley's lands in Merton, Oxfordshire.
Sir James's Children
Sir James Harington had many children. Here are some of them:
- Edward Harington: He became the next Baronet of Ridlington after his father. He married Margery Doyley in 1601. Their son was Sir James Harington, 3rd Baronet.
- Sapcote Harington: He married Jane Samwell first. Their son, James Harington, wrote a famous book called The Commonwealth of Oceana. Sapcote later married Jane Woodward.
- Anne Harington: She married Sir Thomas Foljambe. After he passed away in 1604, she married Sir John Molyneux.
- Bridget Harington (1579-1609): She married Sir Anthony Markham.
- Lucy Harington: She married Sir William Faunt.
- Eleanor Harington: She married Sir Henry Clinton (also known as Fiennes). He was a son of Henry Clinton, 2nd Earl of Lincoln.
- Frances Harington: She was not yet married in June 1613.
- Bess Harington: She was also not yet married in June 1613.
