Robert Rich, 3rd Earl of Warwick facts for kids
Robert Rich, 3rd Earl of Warwick was an important English nobleman who lived from 1611 to 1659. He was known for supporting King Charles I during the English Civil War. This was interesting because his father, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, actually supported the other side, the Parliament.
Life of Robert Rich
Robert Rich was the oldest son of Robert Rich, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, and Frances Hatton. On February 1, 1625, he was made a Knight of the Bath. This special honor was given to him at the coronation of King Charles I. His uncle, St John Blount, also received this honor at the same time.
Robert Rich, who was also known as Baron Rich of Leighs, Essex, joined King Charles I in York. Even though he supported the King, he never actually fought in the war. Parliament later tried to fine him, but his father asked them to drop the fine, and they did.
His father, the 2nd Earl, passed away in April 1658. This meant that Robert became the 3rd Earl of Warwick. Robert himself died a little over a year later, on May 29, 1659, in London. He was buried in a place called Felsted, in Essex. Robert had only one son, also named Robert, but sadly, his son died about 15 months before him from a lung illness called consumption (now known as tuberculosis). Because his son died first, the title of Earl of Warwick then went to Robert's brother, Charles.
Robert Rich's Family
Robert Rich married Lady Anne Cavendish on April 9, 1632. She was the daughter of William Cavendish, 2nd Earl of Devonshire. They were married in Battersea, Surrey. Their only child, Robert, married Frances Cromwell in 1657. Frances was the daughter of Oliver Cromwell, who was the powerful Lord Protector of England at the time. Sadly, young Robert died from consumption just three months after his marriage, on February 16, 1658. He did not have any children. His widow, Frances, later married Sir John Russell.
After Lady Anne Cavendish passed away, Robert Rich married a second time to Anne Cheeke. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Cheek and Essex Rich. Robert and Anne had several children together:
- Anne Rich married Thomas Barrington. He was the oldest son of Sir John Barrington, but he passed away before his own father.
- Mary Rich married Henry St John, 1st Viscount St John on December 11, 1673. She died in 1678 while giving birth to their only son, Henry, Viscount Bolingbroke.
- Essex Rich married Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham on June 16, 1674.
