Sir Edward Seymour, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Edward Seymour, 1st Baronet (born around 1563 – died 10 April 1613) lived at Berry Pomeroy in Devon, England. He was an important person in his time. He served as a Member of Parliament for Devon, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was also chosen twice as the High Sheriff of Devon, a top law enforcement officer for the county. Plus, he was an Army Colonel, leading soldiers.
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Who Was Edward Seymour?
Edward Seymour was born at Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon. His family was very powerful in the western parts of England. His father was Lord Edward Seymour, and his mother was Margaret Walsh.
Edward's grandfather was a famous man named Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (who lived from about 1500 to 1552). This grandfather was a very important leader called the Lord Protector of England. Edward Seymour, the 1st Baronet, came from the older branch of this famous family.
Edward Seymour's Career and Life
Edward Seymour started his career early. When he was just 20 years old, he became the Deputy Vice-Admiral of Devon. This meant he helped oversee naval matters for the county. In 1586, he became the Vice-Admiral of Cornwall, doing a similar job for the neighboring county.
During the late 1500s, people in England were worried about Spain invading. Because of this, Edward Seymour was made a colonel in 1595. He was in charge of 1,600 soldiers and responsible for protecting a part of the south Devon coast, from Dartmouth to Plymouth.
He was chosen as High Sheriff of Devon in 1595 and again in 1605. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Devon in 1593, and then again from 1601 to 1611.
Edward Seymour spent a lot of money making his home, Berry Pomeroy Castle, bigger and grander. According to a writer named John Prince, he spent over £20,000 on the castle, especially building a new section around 1600. This was a huge amount of money back then!
In 1604, he tried to get back some land that belonged to his grandfather, the Duke of Somerset. However, his uncle, Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford, disagreed, and Edward was not successful.
Around 1611, Edward Seymour started to have money problems. This was because he had spent so much on his castle, and he also had eight children to support. Even with these money troubles, he was given a special title on 29 June 1611. He became the first Baronet Seymour, of Berry Pomeroy. This special title cost him £1,095.
Edward Seymour's Family
Edward Seymour got married when he was 13 years old, on 19 September 1576. He married Elizabeth Champernowne. They had been promised to each other for about ten years before they actually married. Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Arthur Champernowne (who died in 1578). Her father was also an important naval officer, serving as Vice-Admiral of the West under Queen Elizabeth I.
Edward and Elizabeth had several children together:
Sons
- Sir Edward Seymour, 2nd Baronet (born around 1580 – died 1659)
- William Seymour (died 1622), who married Joan Young.
- Richard Seymour (died 1655)
Daughters
- Mary Seymour, who married Sir George Farewell.
- Elizabeth Seymour, who married George Cary.
- Bridget Seymour (born 1577), who married Sir John Bruin.
- Anna Seymour (died 1639), who married Edmond II Parker.
Death and Burial
Sir Edward Seymour passed away in 1613. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Berry Pomeroy. There is a monument there that remembers him. After his death, his oldest son, Sir Edward Seymour, 2nd Baronet, took over his title and estates.
