Nicholas Fairfax facts for kids
Sir Nicholas Fairfax was an important English politician who lived a long time ago, from around 1498 or 1499 until 1571. He came from Gilling Castle and Walton in Yorkshire, England. He played a big role in local government and in the English Parliament during his lifetime.
Who Was Sir Nicholas Fairfax?
Nicholas was the oldest son of Sir Thomas Fairfax, who also lived at Gilling Castle. He went to a special school called the Middle Temple to study law. When his father passed away in 1520, Nicholas took over the family's responsibilities. He became a knight before the year 1530, which was a great honor.
A Career in Politics
Sir Nicholas held a very important job called High Sheriff of Yorkshire. This person was like the chief law enforcement officer for the county. He served as High Sheriff three times:
- 1531–1532
- 1544–1555
- 1561–1562
He was also chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. An MP is someone who represents their local area in the country's main government, helping to make laws. Sir Nicholas represented different areas:
- Scarborough in 1542
- Yorkshire in 1547
- Yorkshire again in 1563
Family Life and Legacy
Sir Nicholas Fairfax passed away in 1571. He was married twice during his life. His first wife was Jane, the daughter of Guy Palmes. They had many children together, including at least eight sons and four daughters.
His second wife was Alice. She was the daughter of Sir John Harington. Alice had been married before to two other men.
After Sir Nicholas died, his oldest son, Sir William Fairfax, took over the family's position. William also became a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire and served as the High Sheriff for the county, just like his father.
