Percy Freke (politician) facts for kids
Percy Freke (died May 1707) was an Irish politician. His first name is sometimes spelled Peircy. He was known for serving in the Irish Parliament.
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Who Was Percy Freke?
Percy Freke was born into a well-known family in County Cork, Ireland. His father was Arthur Freke, and his mother was Dorothy Smyth. Dorothy's mother, Mary Boyle, was the sister of a very important person, Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork. This shows that Percy came from a family with good connections.
Percy's Homes and Roles
Percy Freke bought a large piece of land called West Bilney in Norfolk, England. This was a common way for wealthy people to show their status. In 1694, he became the High Sheriff of County Cork. A High Sheriff was a very important local official. They were in charge of keeping the peace and making sure laws were followed in their county.
His Time in Parliament
Percy Freke was a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Irish House of Commons. This means he was elected by people to represent them and help make laws for Ireland. He represented two different areas during his political career:
- He was an MP for Clonakilty from 1692 to 1693.
- He also represented Clonakilty again from 1695 to 1699.
- Later, he became the MP for Baltimore in 1703. He continued to serve in this role until he passed away in May 1707.
Percy Freke's Family Life
Percy Freke married his second cousin, Elizabeth Freke. They had a wedding in 1672 and then a public ceremony in 1673 at St Margaret's Church in Westminster, London. Elizabeth later wrote a book about her life and experiences after she got married.
His Son, Ralph Freke
Percy and Elizabeth had one son named Ralph Freke. He was named after Elizabeth's father. Ralph followed in his father's footsteps and also became involved in politics. He was even given the special title of a baronet in 1713.
Elizabeth Freke, Percy's wife, passed away on April 7, 1714. She was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London where many important people are laid to rest. Her two sisters, Judith and Frances, were also buried there later.
