Sir Edward Waldegrave, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Edward Waldegrave, 1st Baronet (born around 1568, died around 1650) was an English soldier and a member of Parliament. He was also a Cavalier during the English Civil War. A Cavalier was someone who supported King Charles I during this big conflict. Edward Waldegrave was the grandson of another important person named Sir Edward Waldegrave.

Who Was Sir Edward Waldegrave?

Early Life and Royal Honors

Edward Waldegrave received a special honor from the King. In 1607, King James I made him a knight. This meant he was given the title "Sir." Later, in 1643, King Charles I gave him an even higher title. He was made a baronet. A baronet is a special title that can be passed down in a family.

However, after the King lost power, a group called the Rump Parliament said this title was not valid. It only became official later, after the English Restoration. The English Restoration was when the King's family came back to rule England.

Fighting in the English Civil War

The English Civil War began in 1642. Even though Edward Waldegrave was over 70 years old, he played an active part. He led a group of soldiers on horseback for the King's side. These soldiers were called Royalists.

Waldegrave's group fought in Cornwall. They helped secure a path through a place called Saltash. They were fighting against soldiers led by the 3rd Earl of Essex. These soldiers were called Roundheads because they supported Parliament. During one fight, Waldegrave was knocked off his horse twice. But his group still managed to capture 40 Roundhead soldiers.

Challenges and Later Life

Later in the war, the Royalists lost many battles. Edward Waldegrave faced difficult times. He had to pay a large amount of money in fines. This was because he had supported the King. He also lost some of his property. Sir Edward Waldegrave passed away not long after these events.