John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford facts for kids

John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (born around 1485 – died 14 March 1555), was an important English government official during the time of the Tudor kings and queens. He held many powerful jobs, including Lord High Admiral (in charge of the navy) and Lord Privy Seal (a top advisor to the king).

King Henry VIII gave John Russell many lands and properties after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when the king closed down many religious houses. These gifts included the town of Tavistock and the area that is now Covent Garden in London. John Russell is the ancestor of all the later Earls and Dukes of Bedford, and also of famous people like John Russell, who was a Prime Minister, and the philosopher Bertrand Russell.

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Bedford KG PC JP
John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, 1555
Lord High Steward for the coronation of Edward VI
In office 20 February 1547 – 20 February 1547
Monarch	Edward VI
Lord Privy Seal
In office 1542–1555
Monarch	Henry VIII Edward VI Mary I
Chancellor	See Sir Thomas Audley (1542–1544) The Earl of Southampton (1544–1547) The Lord St John (1547) (as Lord Keeper) The Lord Rich (1547–1551) Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely (1551–1553) Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester (1553–1555)
Preceded by	The Earl of Southampton
Succeeded by	The Lord Paget
Lord High Admiral
In office 1540–1542
Monarch	Henry VIII
Chancellor	Sir Thomas Audley
Preceded by	The Earl of Southampton
Succeeded by	The Earl of Hertford
Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall
In office 1552–1554
Monarch	Edward VI Mary I
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	The Earl of Bath
Lord Lieutenant of Devon
In office 1552–1555
Monarch	Edward VI Mary I
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	The Earl of Bath
Lord Lieutenant of Dorset
In office 1552–1555
Monarch	Edward VI Mary I
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	The Earl of Bath
Lord Lieutenant of Somerset
In office 1552–1555
Monarch	Edward VI Mary I
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	Vacant The Earl of Pembroke
High Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset
In office 1527–1527
Monarch	Henry VIII
Preceded by	John Seymour
Succeeded by	Sir Andrew Luttrell
Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire
In office 9 August 1529 – 14 April 1536 Serving with Sir Andrew Windsor Sir Francis Bryan (from 1532)
Monarch	Henry VIII
Chancellor	Sir Thomas More (1529–1532) Sir Thomas Audley (1532–1536)
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	Unknown
Personal details
Born	John Russell c. 1485 Berwick-by-Swyre, Dorset
Died	14 May 1555(1555-05-14) (aged 69–70)
Resting place	Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies, Buckinghamshire
Nationality	English
Spouse	Anne Sapcote
Relations	John Russell, 1st Earl Russell Bertrand Russell Winston Churchill (distant descendants)
Children	Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford
Parents	Sir James Russell (father) Alice Wyse (mother)
Residences	Chenies Manor House, Chenies, Buckinghamshire
Awards	Knight of the Order of the Garter Privy Counsellor Several life peerages
John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford Arms of Russell: Argent, a lion rampant gules on a chief sable three escallops of the first Title 1st Earl of Bedford Tenure 1550–1555 Other titles 1st Baron Russell Successor Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford →

Quartered arms of John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford as seen on his Garter stall plate. Quarterly of four: 1st grand quarter: Russell quartering Azure, a tower argent (de la Tour); 2: Gules, three herrings hauriant argent (Herringham); 3: Sable, a griffin segreant between three cross crosslets argent (Froxmere); 4: Sable, three chevronels ermine with a crescent for difference (Wyse)

Early Life and Rise to Power

John Russell was born around 1485 in a place called Berwick-by-Swyre, in Dorset, England. His father was Sir James Russell and his mother was Alice Wyse.

In 1506, John Russell helped Archduke Philip of Austria and his wife Juana when their ship was wrecked near Weymouth. They were so impressed by his good manners that they told King Henry VII about him.

Because of this, John Russell became a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (a personal assistant) to King Henry VII in 1507. When Henry VIII became king in 1509, John Russell continued to serve him.

Serving King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII sent John Russell on many important missions, both military and diplomatic (dealing with other countries). He was part of battles and was knighted in 1522 after being injured in a fight in France.

In 1526, after he got married, he made changes to his family home, Chenies Manor House. This showed his growing importance and wealth. He was well-liked by the king and his chief minister, Cardinal Wolsey.

John Russell became the High Sheriff of Dorset and Somerset in 1528. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire from 1529 to 1536. He remained in the king's favor even when others fell out of it.

In 1536, he became a Privy Counsellor, which meant he was a trusted advisor to the king. He helped stop a rebellion called the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Important Roles and Titles

As John Russell became more powerful, he was given more important jobs. In 1539, he was made Baron Russell. He also became a Knight of the Garter, which is a very special award given by the monarch.

He was made Lord High Admiral in 1540, taking charge of England's navy. Later, in 1542, he became the Lord Privy Seal, another very high position in the government. He was also in charge of the University of Oxford from 1543 until he died.

John Russell was a close friend and advisor to King Henry VIII during the last years of his reign. When Henry VIII died in 1547, John Russell was one of the people chosen to carry out the king's will. He was also one of the sixteen advisors who helped rule England while King Edward VI was still a child.

Earldom and Later Life

John Russell was the Lord High Steward at the coronation of King Edward VI in 1547. For his help in promoting the new Protestant religion, King Edward VI made him the Earl of Bedford in 1550. This was a very high noble title.

He continued to serve the Crown under Queen Mary I. He was sent to welcome King Philip II to England when Philip came to marry Queen Mary.

Family and Legacy

In 1526, John Russell married Anne Sapcote. They had one child together:

• Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford (1527–1585), who became the next Earl of Bedford.

John Russell died on 14 March 1555. He was buried at his family home, Chenies, Buckinghamshire, in a special chapel at St Michael's Church. His wife, Anne, died a few years later in 1559 and was also buried there.

The Russell family, including the Dukes of Bedford and the Earls Russell, are all descended from John Russell. This includes famous figures like Prime Minister John Russell and the well-known philosopher Bertrand Russell.

Properties He Acquired

When King Henry VIII closed down the monasteries, he gave John Russell many valuable lands and properties. These included Tavistock Abbey and Plympton Abbey in Devon, which were two of the richest abbeys in the area. He also received Dunkeswell Abbey.

These gifts made him the biggest landowner in Devon. In London, he was given a large piece of land called "Long Acre" and the kitchen garden of Westminster Abbey. This area is now known as Covent Garden. Even today, the Duke of Bedford's family still owns a lot of valuable property in London, around Bedford Square and Tavistock Square.

Images for kids

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  Garter stall plate of John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, installed as a Knight of the Garter in 1539. A Garter stall plate is a special metal plate showing the coat of arms of a Knight of the Garter.

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  Chenies Manor, John Russell's family home.