Ralph Bankes facts for kids
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Sir Ralph Bankes (born 1631, died 1677) was an important person who worked closely with King Charles II after he became king again. He was made a knight and was part of the King's special group called the Privy Chamber. Sir Ralph is famous for building Kingston Lacy, a beautiful new home for his family, the Bankes family. It was designed by a skilled architect named Sir Roger Pratt.
Early Life and Family
Ralph Bankes was born in Corfe Castle, a town in Dorset, England. He was the second son in a large family of nine children. His parents were Sir John Bankes and Mary Hawtrey.
Just like his father, Ralph Bankes studied law at Gray's Inn, which is a famous place for lawyers. While he was there, he became good friends with two important people: Peter Lely, a well-known painter, and Roger Pratt, the architect who would later design his home. In 1661, Ralph Bankes married Mary Brune. They had two children together, a son named John and a daughter named Mary.
Working for the King
Ralph Bankes became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1659, representing his family's area of Corfe Castle. He continued to be an MP until he died in 1677. He worked hard to protect the interests of the people in Dorset.
When King Charles II returned to the throne in 1660, Ralph Bankes went to meet him in Canterbury. There, the King made him a knight. He was also chosen to be a gentleman of the Privy Chamber. This meant he was part of a special group of people who worked very closely with the King. Ralph Bankes was an active MP and supported the King's plans.
Building Kingston Lacy
Sir Ralph Bankes spent a lot of time working with Roger Pratt on the design of Kingston Lacy. This new house was built to replace Corfe Castle, which had been badly damaged during the English Civil War. Sir Ralph's mother had bravely defended Corfe Castle during the war.
Kingston Lacy was inspired by another grand house called Clarendon House, which was built for the King's chief advisor, the Lord Chancellor. Sir Ralph visited Clarendon House many times to get ideas for his own home. Building such a large and beautiful house was very expensive. At the time of his death, Sir Ralph was still trying to find more money to finish the project.
Sources
- Mitchell, Anthony, nd: Kingston Lacy Guide by the National Trust, ISBN: 1-84359-042-5
