Robert Basset facts for kids
Sir Robert Basset (1573–1641) was an important English gentleman. He was the lord of the manor (owner of large estates) of Umberleigh and Heanton Punchardon in Devon, England. In 1593, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Plymouth. This meant he represented the people of Plymouth in the country's government.
Contents
Sir Robert's Family History
Sir Robert Basset came from a very old and important family in the west of England. His father was Sir Arthur Bassett (1541-1586). Sir Arthur also owned Umberleigh and Heanton Punchardon. He was a Member of Parliament for Barnstaple in 1563 and Devon in 1572. He also served as the Sheriff of Devon in 1574–5, which was a high-ranking official role.
Robert's mother was Eleanor Chichester (died 1585). She was the daughter of Sir John Chichester (died 1569), who was also an MP. Sir John owned the manor of Raleigh in Pilton, Devon.
His Royal Family Connection
Sir Robert Basset had a special connection to the royal family. His grandmother, Frances Plantagenet, was the daughter of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle (died 1542). Arthur Plantagenet was the son of King Edward IV. This meant Sir Robert Basset was a great-grandson of a king!
His other grandmother was Honor Plantagenet, Viscountess Lisle (c.1493/5–1566). She was also connected to Arthur Plantagenet, as she married him after her first husband, Sir John Basset, died.
Sir Robert's Career and Challenges
Because of his connection to the royal Plantagenet family, Sir Robert made a big decision. After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, many people wanted to become the new ruler of England. Sir Robert decided to offer himself as one of these possible kings.
This turned out to be a very costly mistake for him. He had to pay a huge fine for his actions. According to a writer named John Prince, Sir Robert had to sell thirty of his family's estates to pay this fine.
Marriage and Children
Sir Robert Basset married Elizabeth Periam (1571-1635). She was the second daughter of Sir William Peryam (1534-1604). Sir William was a very important judge, known as the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Elizabeth's monument (a special stone tribute) can still be seen in the church at Heanton Punchardon. It shows her family's coat of arms, which is a special design representing her family.
His Sons
- Arthur Basset (living 1635): He was the oldest son. He died without having any children. In 1635, he put up the monument for his mother in Heanton Punchardon Church. The inscription on the monument says he did this "of a duty of gratitude and respect."
- Col. Arthur Basset (1598-1673): He was the second son and became the heir after his older brother died. He studied law at the Inner Temple in 1616. During the English Civil War, he was a commander for the Royalist side, who supported the King. Because of this, Parliament made him pay a large fine of £1,321. He also served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon. He married Agnes Leigh. His detailed monument is also in Heanton Punchardon Church.
- William Basset (1602-1634): He was the third son. His monument can be found in Atherington Church, which is the church for Umberleigh.
His Daughters
- Anne Basset: Around 1614, she married Jonathan Rashleigh (1591-1675). He was a shipping merchant from Menabilly in Cornwall. Jonathan was also a Member of Parliament for Fowey many times and the High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1627. He was a Royalist during the English Civil War.
- Elizabeth Basset (living 1642): In 1621, she married George Yeo (1597-1671). He was the lord of the manor of Huish, Devon, and also studied law at the Inner Temple.
- Elinor Basset: She was the third daughter and died unmarried in 1634 or 1635.
- Mary Basset: In 1631, she married Jonathan Sparke of Plymouth. Jonathan's father was John Sparke (c.1574-1640), who was also an MP. Mary's oldest son was Sir John Sparke (1636-1680), who also became an MP. A famous visitor, Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, mentioned Sir John Sparke in his travel journal in 1669. He wrote that Sir John was a very important person in Plymouth.
Death and Burial
Sir Robert Basset died on November 11, 1641, when he was 68 years old. He was buried in the Basset Chapel (which is now the vestry) of Umberleigh Church. On the floor, there is a simple stone slab, called a ledger stone, that marks his grave. The Latin words on it say:
"Here lies Robert Basset, Knight, who died on the 11th day of November in the year of Our Lord 1641, at the age of 68."
Sources
- Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895
