Simon Weston (MP) facts for kids
Sir Simon Weston (born 1565, died 1637) was an important English knight and politician. He was a close friend of the Earls of Essex and served in the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, from 1624 to 1626. He was also involved in a major event called the Earl of Essex's rebellion against Queen Elizabeth Tudor.
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Sir Simon Weston's Life and Career
Simon Weston was the son of James Weston, who worked for the church and was also a Member of Parliament for Lichfield. His mother was Margery Lowe. The Weston family lived at St John's Hospital in Lichfield, England. They were a branch of a larger Weston family from Rugeley, which included Sir Richard Weston of Hagley Hall.
Becoming a Knight and Early Challenges
In August 1599, Simon Weston was made a knight by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. The Earl of Essex was a very powerful and popular figure at the time, and he was the Queen's favorite. He had many important connections, including being related to Queen Anne Boleyn and having an uncle married to a cousin of Queen Elizabeth. The Earl's wife was also the daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham, who was Queen Elizabeth's spymaster.
Later, in 1610, Weston was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Staffordshire, a key local role. He was then accused of being part of the Earl of Essex's rebellion against Queen Elizabeth Tudor. This rebellion involved other famous people like Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton and Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury.
Clearing His Name and Royal Favor
Weston managed to avoid being caught at first. But he was later brought before the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the Queen. He was then placed under the care of his brother-in-law, Bishop Martin Heton.
Weston successfully proved that he was not involved in the rebellion, even though he was close to one of the rebels, Sir Christopher Blount. He was set free in 1602. After Queen Elizabeth died, King James I of England took the throne, and Weston was given a special Royal Lordship.
In 1607, Weston invited Robert Cecil, who was the King's Secretary of State, to his home. Cecil was the son of William Cecil, who had been Queen Elizabeth's chief minister. After this, Weston's only daughter, Elizabeth Weston, married Robert Ridgeway, the son of Thomas Ridgeway, 1st Earl of Londonderry. Weston paid a large dowry of £6,000 for the marriage.
Later Political Roles
Weston's father also had strong connections with the Earls of Essex. He had joined a military journey called the Essex-Raleigh Expedition against Spain. He also held important financial positions in Ireland.
Sir Simon Weston later became a Deputy Lieutenant and a trusted advisor to Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex. This Earl of Essex was a very important military leader, serving as Vice-Admiral and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army.
In 1622, Weston became the Recorder (Judge) of Lichfield, an important legal job. He took over from John Egerton, the Earl of Bridgewater. In 1624, Weston was elected as a Member of Parliament for Lichfield, taking the place of his relative Sir Richard Weston. He was then elected MP for Staffordshire in 1625 and again in 1626.
Sir Simon Weston's Family
Sir Simon Weston married Mary Lloyd. Her father, John Lloyd, was a judge and helped Queen Elizabeth start the first Protestant college at the University of Oxford.
Weston's sister-in-law was Frances Lloyd, who was married to Dr. David Yale. David Yale was a Chancellor in Chester and the nephew of another Chancellor, Thomas Yale from Wales.
Weston's daughter, Elizabeth Weston, married Robert Ridgeway, 2nd Earl of Londonderry. He was the son of Thomas Ridgeway, 1st Earl of Londonderry.
Elizabeth was also the sister-in-law of Sir Francis Willoughby. Sir Francis was the son of Sir Percival Willoughby. Elizabeth was the aunt of Francis Willughby and the great-aunt of Duchess Cassandra Willoughby. The Willoughby family lived at Wollaton Hall.
Later in his life, around 1632, Weston asked for help from the Secretary of State, Sir John Coke. He was seeking support for his daughter Elizabeth and her children, as her husband, Robert Ridgeway, had left them without support.
