Robert Killigrew facts for kids

Arms of Killigrew: This family crest shows a black eagle with two heads on a silver shield. The border with gold circles connects them to the old Earls of Cornwall.

Sir Robert Killigrew (born in 1580, died in 1633) was an important English courtier and politician. A courtier is someone who attends a royal court as a companion or advisor to the king or queen. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's parliament, at different times between 1601 and 1629. He also worked as an Ambassador to the United Provinces, which means he represented England in another country.

Life of Sir Robert Killigrew

Early Life and Education

Robert Killigrew was born in Lothbury, London. His father was William Killigrew, and his mother was Margery Saunders. When he was just 11 years old, in January 1591, he started studying at Christ Church, Oxford University. He traveled to other countries in 1596. Around 1601, he might have started working for the royal family in the Privy Chamber, which was a group of personal attendants to the monarch.

Starting His Political Career

In 1601, Robert Killigrew was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for St Mawes. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the House of Commons. In 1603, King James I made him a knight, so he became "Sir" Robert Killigrew.

The next year, in 1604, he was elected as an MP again, this time for Newport. He might have even traveled to Jamestown in America that year. His name is listed as someone who supported the Second Charter of Virginia, which was an important document for the early American colonies. In 1606, he was chosen to be an ambassador to the United Provinces, helping to build good relationships between England and that country.

Later Career and Public Service

In 1614, Sir Robert was elected as an MP for Helston. He became the Keeper of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall, in July of that year. He was also appointed a JP, which meant he helped keep law and order.

He continued to serve in important roles. In October 1618, he became an Officer of Protonotary of Chancery. This was a legal role where he helped prepare important documents for the court. In 1621, he was elected MP for Newport again. The next year, he took over a profitable business from his father, managing the income from official seals used in legal courts.

In 1624, he became an MP for Penryn and was also made a Deputy Lieutenant for Cornwall. This meant he helped the Lord Lieutenant, who was the King's representative in the county. In 1625, he was elected MP for Cornwall. He was also asked to be an Ambassador to the United Provinces again, but he did not take up this role at that time.

He was elected MP for Tregony in 1626. His last time as an MP was for Bodmin from 1628 to 1629. After this, King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years. In 1630, Sir Robert was appointed Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Henrietta Maria, which was a high position in the Queen's household.

Sir Robert Killigrew lived in Arwenack, Falmouth. He passed away in 1633 in Bath, Somerset, and was a very wealthy man.

Family Life

Sir Robert Killigrew married Mary Woodhouse (1584–1656). They had several children who became well-known:

• William Killigrew (1606–1695)
• Anne Killigrew (1607–1641), who married George Kirke.
• Robert Killigrew (1611-???)
• Thomas Killigrew (1612–1683)
• Henry Killigrew (1613–1700)
• Elizabeth Killigrew (around 1615-around 1619)
• Catherine Killigrew (1618–1689), who was the wife of Sir Thomas Stanley.
• Elizabeth Killigrew (1622–1681), who married Francis Boyle, 1st Viscount Shannon.
• Mary Killigrew (1623–1677), who later married Sir John James.

After Sir Robert died, his wife Mary married Sir Thomas Stafford. She also wrote letters to Constantijn Huygens, a famous Dutch poet and diplomat.