Nicholas Pedley facts for kids
Sir Nicholas Pedley (born September 17, 1615 – died July 6, 1685) was an English politician. He served as a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, at different times between 1656 and 1679.
Early Life and Education
Nicholas Pedley was the son of Reverend Nicholas Pedley and Susan Brathwayte. His family wasn't very rich at first. However, his uncle James became very wealthy, and Nicholas inherited a lot of that money. He also married into the important Bernard family, which helped him become known as one of the "landed gentry" in Huntingdonshire. This meant he was a respected landowner in the area.
He went to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1633 and earned his first degree in 1637. He then studied law at Lincoln's Inn, a famous place for training lawyers, starting in 1638. By 1646, he was officially allowed to practice law, which is called being "called to the Bar." Later, he became the Recorder of Huntingdon, a special judge who advises the city on legal matters.
Political Career
Nicholas Pedley began his political journey in 1656. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdonshire in the Second Protectorate Parliament. This was a time when England was not ruled by a king, but by Oliver Cromwell. He was re-elected as an MP for Huntingdonshire in 1659 for the Third Protectorate Parliament.
His fellow politicians saw him as a very skilled legal expert. He often worked on committees that dealt with laws and money matters. Even though he was active behind the scenes, he didn't speak much during the actual Parliament meetings.
In 1660, Pedley was elected MP for Huntingdon in the Convention Parliament. This Parliament was important because it brought the king back to power after a period without one. In 1671, he earned another university degree. He was also knighted in 1672, which means he was given the title "Sir" by the king. He continued to serve as an MP for Huntingdonshire from 1673 until 1679. In 1675, he became a Serjeant-at-law, which was a very high rank for a lawyer at that time.
A Fair and Honest Lawyer
As a lawyer, Sir Nicholas Pedley was known for being very honest and fair. He always tried to do what was right, even when it was difficult. For example, when Thomas Osborne, 1st Earl of Danby, a powerful government leader, was accused of serious crimes in 1678, Pedley urged Parliament to follow the law very carefully.
He wasn't a close friend of Danby, but he still believed in fairness. He even wondered if the accusations against Danby were truly serious enough to be called "treason," which is a very serious crime against the country. Pedley advised everyone to be calm and merciful, saying that when someone's life or freedom is at stake, they should be very careful and kind.
Family and Later Life
Sir Nicholas Pedley lived in a place called Abbotsley in Huntingdonshire. He passed away at the age of 69.
He was married twice. His first wife was Lucy Bernard, and they had eight children together. After Lucy passed away, he married Anne Dorrington. Anne was already a widow, but Nicholas and Anne did not have any children together.
