Ralph Knight facts for kids
Sir Ralph Knight (born in 1619, died in 1691) was an English soldier and a member of Parliament. He fought for the Parliament's army during the English Civil War, a big conflict in England. He even sold his family home, 'the Barrels' Manor House, to join Oliver Cromwell's side. His family had owned this house since the early 1500s!
Early Life and Military Career
Ralph Knight was the son of William Knight from Newbury. In 1643, he was a Major in Sir Miles Hobart's army group, leading a troop of cavalry (soldiers on horseback). He served under a powerful general named the Earl of Manchester. That same year, he was part of a battle at Horncastle.
In 1644, the armies of Lords Manchester and Fairfax fought against the Marquis of Newcastle's forces. Ralph Knight joined the New Model Army in 1645 as a captain in the cavalry. By 1647, he had become a major in the same group. He later became a special assistant to General Monck, another important military leader. Around 1650, he bought a large property called Langold in Yorkshire. This was a home for his wife, so she could be close to her family.
Political Life and Later Years
In 1653, Ralph Knight was chosen as a Deputy Lieutenant for West Riding of Yorkshire. This was an important local role, helping to organize the militia (a group of citizens who can be called upon to defend the area). In 1659, he represented areas in Scotland (Sutherland, Ross, and Cromarty) in a special Parliament called the Third Protectorate Parliament.
In 1660, Ralph Knight was elected as a Member of Parliament for Morpeth. This was for the Convention Parliament, which helped bring the king back to power after the Civil War. After the king returned, Ralph Knight was given the title of 'Sir' (knighted). In 1662, he bought another large property, the manor of Letwell in Yorkshire.
In June 1667, during a time when England feared a Dutch invasion, Sir Ralph Knight became the captain of a special group of horse soldiers. These soldiers were gathered from the areas near Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. They marched to Yarmouth to be ready for any attack, but the group was disbanded (sent home) in August 1667. He later became a lieutenant-colonel in the Duke of Buckingham's Regiment of Foot (soldiers who fight on foot) in 1673. In 1675, he bought the Manor of Warsop in Nottinghamshire.
Family Life
Sir Ralph Knight was married twice. His first wife was Faith Dickinson, whom he married in 1646. She was the daughter of a vicar (a type of church leader) from Rotherham. Later, he married a widow (a woman whose husband had died) named Mrs. Rolleston. Her first husband had been the secretary to one of Sir Ralph's old opponents, Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle.
Sir Ralph had a daughter named Bridget. She married a man named Richard Taylor. Their daughter, also named Bridget, married Thomas White. This means Sir Ralph Knight was a great-great-great-great grandfather to Sir Thomas White, 1st Baronet, who was also an important figure later on. Another of Sir Ralph's daughters, Christian, married Jonathan Staniforth.
Death
Sir Ralph Knight passed away in April 1691 at Firbeck. He was buried there on April 23rd.
