Ralph Bourchier facts for kids
Sir Ralph Bourchier (born around 1531, died 11 June 1598) was an important English person who owned land, managed things, and worked in politics. He helped run the country during his time.
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Who Was Sir Ralph Bourchier?
Ralph Bourchier was the son of James Bourchier and Mary. Mary inherited land from her brother, John Bannister. Ralph's grandfather was a nobleman named John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners.
Early Life and Family
In 1556, Ralph Bourchier received land in Yorkshire from his uncle, John Bannister. On this land, he built a large house called Beningbrough Hall. The house was later rebuilt in 1716, so the original building is no longer there.
Important Jobs and Roles
Sir Ralph Bourchier held several important positions. In 1559, he was put in charge of Rochester Castle, which was an important fortress.
He was also elected to the Parliament of England, which is like being a member of today's government. He represented different areas:
- In 1571 and 1572, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Newcastle-under-Lyme.
- Later, he was an MP for Newport, Isle of Wight in 1584.
- In 1586, he represented Scarborough.
- He also served as a knight of the shire for Yorkshire, which meant he represented the whole county.
In 1580, he became the High Sheriff of Yorkshire. This was a very important job, like being the chief law enforcement officer for the county. In 1584, he was given the title of "Sir," meaning he was knighted.
Sir Ralph's Family and Legacy
Sir Ralph Bourchier passed away in 1598 and was buried in Barking, Essex. He was married three times:
- His first wife was Elizabeth Hall. They had two sons and four daughters.
- His second wife was Christian Shakerley.
- His third wife was Anne Coote.
After Sir Ralph died, his land and property went to his grandson, Robert. This happened because Sir Ralph's son, William, was unable to manage the estate. Sadly, Robert died young at 18 without having any children.
The estate then passed to Robert's brother, John. John Bourchier later became involved in important historical events, including being one of the people who signed the document for King Charles I's death in 1649.
