Ralph Sydenham facts for kids
Sir Ralph Sydenham (died 1671) was an English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is a part of the English Parliament. He served there from 1641 to 1642. Sir Ralph was a strong supporter of the King during the English Civil War, joining the side known as the Cavaliers.
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Who Was Sir Ralph Sydenham?
Sir Ralph Sydenham was an important figure in English politics during a time of great change. He was known for his loyalty to the King. His life saw major events, including the English Civil War and the return of the King to power.
Early Life and Knighthood
Ralph Sydenham was the son of Sir John Sydenham, who lived in a place called Brimpton. Ralph himself was given the special title of 'Sir' (knighted) in Scotland on July 17, 1617. This was an important honor at the time.
A Role in Parliament
In 1641, Sir Ralph Sydenham was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for a place called Bossiney. He became part of the Long Parliament, which was a very important Parliament that lasted for many years.
The English Civil War and Its Impact
The English Civil War was a big conflict in England. It was fought between those who supported the King and those who supported Parliament. Sir Ralph Sydenham chose to support the King. He followed the King to Oxford, which was the King's headquarters during the war. Because he supported the King against Parliament, he was stopped from being an MP on September 29, 1642. After the war, he had to pay a fine of £500 because of his support for the King. At this time, he lived in Youlston, Devon.
Life After the War
After the war ended and the King returned to power in 1660 (an event known as the Restoration), Sir Ralph Sydenham was given a new important job. He became the Master of Charterhouse. This was a famous place that was once a monastery and later became a school and a home for retired gentlemen. Sir Ralph stayed in this role until he passed away in 1671.
Family Life
In 1629, Sir Ralph Sydenham married a woman named Mary. She was the widow of another important person, Sir Arthur Chichester. They were married at St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington, London. Sir Ralph and Mary had a family together.
