James Strangeways facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir James Strangeways
Arms of Strangways: Sable, two lions passant paly of six argent and gules
Predecessor	Sir James Strangeways, knt
Successor	Sir Richard Strangeways, knt
Born	James Strangeways Harlsby, Osmotherley, Yorkshire, England
Buried	St Mary's Overy, Southwick [Southwark]
Family	Strangeways of Harlsby and Whorleton
wife	Elizabeth Darcy Elizabeth Eure
Issue	11 sons, 4 daughters
Father	Sir James Strangeways
Mother	Anne Orrell
Occupation	knight Sheriff Justice of the Peace Member of Parliament

Sir James Strangeways (born around 1410, died 1480) was an important English politician. He served as the Speaker of the House of Commons of England from 1461 to 1462. He was a strong supporter of Edward IV and the Yorkist side during the Wars of the Roses.

Life and Career

James Strangeways was the son of Sir James Strangeways, who was a judge in North Wales. Our Sir James was born in Whorlton, Yorkshire. He became a knight and held several important jobs.

He was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire three times: in 1446, 1453, and 1469. A Sheriff was like a chief law enforcement officer for a county. He was also elected to represent Yorkshire in the English Parliament in 1449, 1460, and 1461–62.

Role in the Wars of the Roses

Sir James was a loyal Yorkist, meaning he supported the House of York in the Wars of the Roses. These wars were a series of battles fought between two powerful families, the Yorkists (represented by a white rose) and the Lancastrians (represented by a red rose), who both wanted to rule England.

Strangeways fought in several key battles:

• The First Battle of St Albans in 1455.
• The Battle of Blore Heath in 1459.
• The Battle of Wakefield in 1460.

Even though he was a Yorkist, the Lancastrians kept him as High Sheriff for a short time in 1460. However, they soon removed him from his post.

When the Yorkist army, led by Edward, Earl of March, won a major victory in July 1460, the Parliament that met in October was mostly Yorkist. Sir James was elected to Parliament again for Yorkshire. He worked to arrest and imprison Lancastrian knights in southern Yorkshire.

He used a law called Scandalum magnatum to arrest people who spread false rumors. This law was often used by the Yorkists to control their opponents.

After the Duke of York was killed at the Battle of Wakefield, Sir James was likely captured. However, he was released by Edward IV after the Battle of Towton in 1461. Edward IV then made him a Justice of the Peace (JP) for West Riding. His son also became a JP for North Riding.

Edward IV trusted Sir James to find and imprison leading Lancastrian rebels. This included important figures like Dr. John Morton.

Speaker of the House of Commons

Because of his loyalty, Sir James Strangeways was rewarded by Edward IV. He was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Commons in November 1461. This was the first Parliament held under the new King Edward IV.

As Speaker, Sir James gave a long speech to the King. He talked about the state of the country and the history of the civil war. This Parliament passed many "acts of attainder." These were laws that declared Lancastrian supporters guilty of treason and took away their lands and titles.

Sir James was paid 200 marks for his hard work as Speaker. After Parliament ended, he continued to serve on various commissions. These commissions helped defend the kingdom and stop rebellions. He also regularly served as a Justice of the Peace in Yorkshire.

Later Life and Family Connections

After 1463, Sir James became closer to the Neville family, especially Warwick the Kingmaker. The Nevilles were a very powerful family in Yorkshire. Sir James also held an important position as Chief Justice of Durham Palatinate.

Sir James married twice. His second wife was Elizabeth Eure. Her family, the de Eures, were an old Norman family with connections to the royal Plantagenet family. This marriage helped Sir James's family gain even more respect among the noble families.

Edward IV sent Sir James on diplomatic missions to Scotland in 1464 and 1466. The King wanted to make peace with Scotland. On the second trip, Sir James met with the Scottish delegation in Newcastle with his eldest son, Sir Richard.

Sir James Strangeways died in 1480 and was buried in the abbey church of St. Mary Overy's in Southwark.

Family

Sir James Strangeways had a large family.

His first wife was Elizabeth Darcy (1417–1461). She was the daughter of Sir Philip Darcy, 6th Baron Darcy of Knayth. Together, they had at least 11 sons and four daughters.

His second wife was Elizabeth Eure (1444–1481). She was the daughter of Ralph, Lord Eure, who was also a Yorkist supporter. They had at least three children who survived: Felicia, Ralph, and Edward.

Children by his first wife, Elizabeth Darcy

• Sir Richard, who married twice.
• James of Smeton.
• William.
• Philip.
• George, who became a clerk.
• Christopher.
• Henry.
• John.
• Robert of Ketton.
• Two sons named Thomas (one died young).
• Margery, who married twice.
• Eleanor.
• Joan.
• Elizabeth.

It's worth noting that Sir James's grandson, also named Sir James Strangeways, was also a High Sheriff of Yorkshire later on.