Robert Dormer, 1st Baron Dormer facts for kids
Sir Robert Dormer of Wing (born January 26, 1551 – died November 8, 1616) was an important English nobleman in the 17th century. He held the titles of 1st Baronet and 1st Baron Dormer of Wing. A "peer" was a person who held a high social rank, often with a title like Baron, and had special rights and duties in the kingdom.
Early Life and Education
Robert Dormer was the only son of Sir William Dormer and his second wife, Dorothy Pelham. He began his studies at Gray's Inn in 1567. This was a place where people learned about law. Later, in 1569, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford University. A Bachelor of Arts is a common first university degree.
Public Service and Titles
In 1575, Robert Dormer inherited a lot of land and wealth from his father. This included large estates in Buckinghamshire. His fortune was very big, estimated to be worth a huge amount of money at the time.
He took on several important roles:
- In 1577, he became a Justice of the Peace. This meant he helped keep law and order in his local area.
- In 1584, he served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire. The High Sheriff was a royal official responsible for law enforcement in the county.
- He was knighted in 1591, which meant he received the title "Sir."
- He also became a Member of Parliament (MP). This meant he was chosen to represent people in the English Parliament. He was an MP for Tregony in 1571 and for Buckinghamshire in 1593.
In 1615, Robert Dormer received even higher honors. In June, he was made a baronet of Wing. A baronet is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family. Just a few weeks later, he was given the title of Baron Dormer. This made him a Baron, a very high rank in the English nobility.
Family Connections
Robert Dormer married Elizabeth Browne. She was the daughter of Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu. Together, Robert and Elizabeth had six sons and three daughters.
His family had many interesting connections:
- His wife's sister, Mary, was married to Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton. This made them brothers-in-law.
- His half-sister, Jane Dormer, married the Spanish Ambassador, Gómez Suárez de Figueroa y Córdoba, 1st Duke of Feria.
- His daughter, Dorothy, married Sir Henry Huddleston. Their home, Sawston Hall, was known for having "priest holes." These were secret hiding places used by Catholic priests during times when their religion was not allowed in England.
Even though some of his relatives were Catholic, Robert Dormer and his father seemed to follow the official church of England. However, Robert Dormer still had strong sympathies for the Catholic faith because many of his family members remained Catholic. His father was friends with a powerful nobleman, Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford. This friendship likely helped protect the Dormer family from strict laws against Catholics, especially since Robert had married into the Catholic Montague family.
Death and Legacy
Lord Dormer passed away on November 18, 1616, when he was 65 years old. He was buried at All Saints' Church, Wing. There is a grand monument there to remember him. His grandson, also named Robert, inherited his titles. This grandson later became the Earl of Carnarvon in 1628.
