John Boteler, 1st Baron Boteler of Brantfield facts for kids
John Boteler, 1st Baron Boteler of Brantfield (born around 1566 – died 1637), was an important English politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's Parliament, from 1625 to 1626. His family, the Butlers of Hertfordshire, believed they were related to Ralph le Boteler. Ralph was a butler (a high-ranking servant) to a powerful earl named Robert de Beaumont way back in the time of King Henry I. By the 1400s, John's family had lived in a place called Watton for a long time.
John Boteler's Life and Career
John Boteler was the son of Sir Henry Boteler. His family lived at Hatfield Woodhall and Brantfield in Hertfordshire. John became a knight in July 1607. This was a special honor given by the King. He took over his father's estates on January 20, 1609, when he was about 43 years old.
In 1620, he received another special title. He was made a baronet of Hatfield Woodhall. A baronet is a title of honor that can be passed down in a family. In 1625, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire. He was elected again in 1626.
On July 30, 1628, John Boteler received an even higher honor. He was made a Baron. This meant he became Baron Boteler of Brantfield. A Baron is a noble title, placing him in the House of Lords.
John Boteler passed away on May 27, 1637. He was about 71 years old. He was buried in Higham Gobion, Bedfordshire. His son, William, inherited his title.
John Boteler's Family
Before 1609, John Boteler married Elizabeth Villiers. Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir George Villiers. She was also the half-sister of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, a very powerful person at the time.
John and Elizabeth had two sons and six daughters:
- Audrey, who married Francis Leigh, 1st Earl of Chichester.
- Helen (also known as Eleanor), who married Sir John Drake in 1616. She was the grandmother of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. John Churchill later became a famous military leader.
- Jane, who married James Ley, 1st Earl of Marlborough and later William Ashburnham.
- Anne, who married Mountjoy Blount, 1st Earl of Newport.
- Sir Henry Boteler, who was a favorite of his uncle, the Duke of Buckingham. Henry passed away before his father.
- William Boteler, 2nd Baron Boteler of Brantfield. William died unmarried in 1647. When he passed away, all of his family's special honors and titles ended.
- Olivia (died 1663), who was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Henrietta Maria. She married Endymion Porter, who was a close friend of the King and supported famous artists like Antony Van Dyck.
- Mary, who married Edward Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Escrick in 1623.
