John Cecil, 4th Earl of Exeter facts for kids
John Cecil, 4th Earl of Exeter (born 1628 – died February 1678), was an important English nobleman. From 1640 to 1643, he was known as Lord Burghley. He inherited his main title, the Earl of Exeter, from his father in 1643. This made him a powerful person in England during the 17th century.
Contents
Who Was John Cecil?
John Cecil was a member of the English nobility. This means he belonged to a family with special titles and a long history. He held the title of Earl of Exeter, which was passed down through his family.
Early Life and Titles
John Cecil was born in 1628. When he was young, he was known as Lord Burghley. This was a courtesy title, meaning it was used for the eldest son of an earl. In 1643, when he was about 15 years old, his father passed away. John then inherited the title of 4th Earl of Exeter. An "earldom" is the rank or position of an earl.
Important Roles and Duties
As an earl, John Cecil had many important jobs. These roles helped him serve his country and his local area. He held positions that were key to governing parts of England.
Serving as Lord Lieutenant
From 1660 to 1673, John Cecil was a Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire. This was a very important job! A Lord Lieutenant was the King's main representative in a county. They were in charge of the local military and keeping peace. After 1673, he continued to be the Lord Lieutenant for the eastern part of Northamptonshire. Another earl, the Earl of Peterborough, looked after the western part.
Other Key Positions
John Cecil also had other important jobs. From 1660 to 1676, he was the Recorder of Stamford. A Recorder was a type of judge who oversaw legal matters in a town or city. In November 1660, he was also given the job of Keeper of the West Hay. This meant he was in charge of a specific area within the Rockingham Forest.
Family Life
John Cecil was married twice and had children. His family life was an important part of his noble status.
His first wife was Lady Frances Manners. She was the daughter of the 8th Earl of Rutland. They had two children who lived to adulthood:
- John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (born around 1648 – died 1700)
- Lady Frances Cecil (died 1694), who married John Scudamore, 2nd Viscount Scudamore.
After Lady Frances passed away, John Cecil married again. His second wife was Lady Mary Fane. She was the daughter of the 2nd Earl of Westmorland.
