Richard Onslow (Parliamentarian) facts for kids

Sir Richard Onslow (1601 – 19 May 1664) was an important English politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years, serving in the House of Commons. During the English Civil War, he fought on the side of Parliament. It's interesting to note that both his grandfather and his grandson, who were also named Richard Onslow, became Speaker of the House of Commons.

Richard Onslow's Life Story

Early Years and Family

Richard Onslow was born in 1601 and was the younger son of Sir Edward Onslow and his wife Isabel. He was baptized on July 30, 1601. He had an older brother, Thomas, and three sisters. When his father passed away in 1615, Richard received an annual payment of £100 from family lands.

His older brother Thomas died young in 1616. This meant that Richard became the main heir to much of the family's property. His sisters also went on to have good marriages.

Education and Early Career

Richard went to Jesus College, Cambridge in 1617 and then studied law at Lincoln's Inn in 1618. He married Elizabeth Strangways, and they had their first child by 1621. He was knighted in 1624, which meant he was given the title "Sir."

In 1628, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Surrey. He served until 1629, when King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years. In 1630, his mother Elizabeth passed away, leaving him her land and other belongings. By 1638, he was a deputy-lieutenant for Surrey, helping to manage the county.

Role in the English Civil War

Richard Onslow was elected as an MP for Surrey again in April 1640 for the Short Parliament, and then in November 1640 for the Long Parliament. As the English Civil War began in 1642, he bought some land and property, including Clandon Park.

When the war broke out, he took command of the local soldiers, known as the Surrey Trained Bands. He then raised his own group of soldiers to fight for Parliament. He led his men in important battles, like the siege of Basing House in 1644.

Richard Onslow had moderate views, meaning he wasn't extreme on either side. Because of this, he was one of the members removed from Parliament in December 1648 during an event called Pride's Purge.

Later, in 1654 and 1656, he was elected as an MP for Surrey again in the parliaments under Cromwell's rule. In 1658, he was even made a member of Cromwell's Upper House, a special group similar to the House of Lords.

Bringing Back the Monarchy

In April 1660, Richard Onslow returned to the House of Commons as an MP for Guildford. This was during the Convention Parliament. He worked closely with his friend Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper to help bring back the King and restore the monarchy. This event is known as the English Restoration.

He was re-elected as an MP for Guildford in 1661 and continued to serve until his death in 1664. He also became one of the leaders of the Bedford Level Corporation in 1663, which was a group managing land drainage.

His Death

Sir Richard Onslow died in 1664 in London. It was said he died from a fever that turned into a serious infection. However, some people, like Lucy Hutchinson, believed he was struck by lightning. This story was even believed by some in his own family.

He was buried in Cranleigh, Surrey. His tomb, along with that of his wife Elizabeth, remained there until the church was restored in 1845. Elizabeth was buried there in 1679 when she was 78 years old.

Family Life

Sir Richard Onslow married Elizabeth Strangeways (who lived from about 1601 to 1679). They had a large family with fourteen children:

• Sir Henry Onslow (1621–c. 1667)
• Sir Arthur Onslow, 1st Baronet (1622–1688), who also became an MP for Guildford and Surrey.
• Elizabeth Onslow (1624 – after 1678)
• Anne Onslow (born 1626)
• Mary Onslow (born 1638)
• John Onslow (born and died 1630)
• Jane Onslow (1631 – 1729)
• Richard Onslow (1632–c. 1712)
• Thomas Onslow (1633 – after 1664)
• Dorothy Onslow (1635–1642)
• Catherine Onslow (1636–1659)
• John Onslow (1636 – 1663)
• Denzil Onslow (of Pyrford) (c. 1642–1721)
• One other child who died young.