Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers facts for kids
Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers, was an important English nobleman and a member of the royal court. He was known by different titles during his life, starting as Sir Robert Shirley, 7th Baronet, then Robert Shirley, 14th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, before finally becoming the 1st Earl Ferrers.
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Early Life and First Steps in Politics
Robert Shirley was born on October 20, 1650, in East Sheen. He was the third son of Sir Robert Shirley, 4th Baronet. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university.
In March 1669, when he was 18, Robert inherited the title of Baronet from his young nephew. This made him Sir Robert Shirley, 7th Baronet. Later that year, he also received a Master of Arts degree from Oxford.
In 1677, he was offered a chance to become a Member of Parliament for Lichfield. However, he chose to join the House of Lords instead. He was given the title of Baron Ferrers of Chartley in December of that year. Soon after, he became a deputy lieutenant for Staffordshire, helping the main leader of the county. In 1683, he was made the high steward of Stafford, an important official for the town.
Serving the Queen
On February 18, 1684, Lord Ferrers was appointed Master of the Horse to Queen Catherine of Braganza. This meant he was in charge of the Queen's horses and stables.
After King Charles II of England died in 1685, Robert Shirley became the Queen Dowager's (the King's widow) Lord Steward. This role meant he managed her household and finances. He held this important position until Queen Catherine died in 1705.
The Queen owned a special area called the honour of Higham Ferrers. For a time, this allowed Lord Ferrers to choose who would represent Higham Ferrers in Parliament. However, in 1703, this right was sold to someone else.
Changes in Royal Power
At the coronation of King James II of England in April 1685, Lord Ferrers helped as an assistant lord cupbearer. He also became the first colonel of a new army regiment during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. However, he was replaced in this role in November 1686.
In September 1687, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. This was a very important role, but he was removed in November because he did not fully agree with King James II's plans to change Parliament. He also lost his position as high steward of Stafford in February 1688.
In December 1688, during the Glorious Revolution, Lord Ferrers supported Princess Anne. He helped escort her to Warwick. After William III and Mary II became the new rulers, Lord Ferrers was re-appointed as high steward of Stafford.
Later Life and New Titles
In 1692, Lord Ferrers and his relative, Viscount Weymouth, decided to divide a large area of land they both owned in County Monaghan, Ireland. They aimed to split it into two equal parts. At first, the survey was wrong, and Lord Ferrers' share was smaller. But Viscount Weymouth kindly gave him more land to make it fair. This process was finished in 1706.
On May 25, 1699, Robert Shirley became a member of the Privy Council. This was a group of important advisors to the King or Queen. He remained a member during Queen Anne's reign and again helped as an assistant lord cupbearer at her coronation.
A writer named John Macky described him during Queen Anne's time: "He is a very honest man, who loves his country. He is great at improving gardens and parks, and loves hunting. He has never been in government business before, but he is very capable. He is a tall, fair man, around sixty years old."
After he married Selina Finch in 1699, he spent a lot of time at a house he built in Twickenham. On September 3, 1711, Lord Ferrers received even higher titles. He was made Earl Ferrers and Viscount Tamworth.
Robert Shirley died in Bath on December 25, 1717. His earldom (the title of Earl) passed to his second son, Washington. His barony (the title of Baron) went to his granddaughter, Elizabeth.
Family
Robert Shirley married Elizabeth Washington on December 28, 1671. They had ten sons and seven daughters:
- Robert Shirley (1673 – 1698 or 1699)
- Elizabeth Shirley (25 November 1674 – 10 October 1677)
- Katherine Shirley (31 May 1676 – 18 August 1679)
- Washington Shirley, 2nd Earl Ferrers (1677–1729)
- Lady Elizabeth Shirley (20 June 1678 – 7 March 1740), married Walter Clarges
- Lady Anne Eleanora Shirley (12 November 1679 – 1754)
- Lady Katherine Shirley (17 February 1680 – October 1736), unmarried
- Charles Shirley (9 April 1682 – 28 May 1682)
- Lady Dorothy Shirley (25 May 1683 – 3 April 1721), married John Cotes in 1700
- Charles Shirley (21 June 1684 – 12 September 1685)
- Lewis Shirley (13 July 1685 – 1710), unmarried
- George Shirley (21 October 1686 – 1694)
- Lady Barbara Shirley (5 February 1687 – 7 November 1768), unmarried
- Ferrers Shirley (23 April 1689 – 25 June 1707)
- Walter Shirley (27 May 1690 – after 1694; died young)
- Henry Shirley, 3rd Earl Ferrers (1691–1745)
- Laurence Shirley (26 September 1693 – 1743), married Anne Clarges, and had children, including:
- Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers (1720–1760)
- V-Adm. Washington Shirley, 5th Earl Ferrers (1722–1778)
- Robert Shirley, 6th Earl Ferrers (1723–1787)
- Rev. Walter Shirley (1726–1786)
- R-Adm. Thomas Shirley (1733–1814)
In August 1699, Lord Ferrers married Selina Finch. They had ten children:
- Robert Shirley (1700–1738)
- Lady Selina Shirley (2 July 1701 – 14 December 1777), married Peter Bathurst
- Lady Mary Shirley (20 November 1702 – 17 May 1771), married Charles Tryon, and had children, including William Tryon
- George Shirley (1704–1704)
- Capt. George Shirley (23 October 1705 – 22 October 1787), married Mary Sturt, and had children. They are ancestors of Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.
- Lady Frances Shirley (5 May 1707 – 15 July 1778), unmarried
- Lady Anne Shirley (24 May 1708 – 6 February 1779), married Sir Robert Furnese, 2nd Baronet
- Sewallis Shirley (1709–1765), married Margaret Rolle, 15th Baroness Clinton
- Lady Stuarta Shirley (19 August 1711 – 31 December 1767), unmarried
- John Shirley (12 March 1712 O.S. – 15 February 1768), unmarried
See also
