Sir Francis Wyndham, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Wyndham
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Wyndham Memorial c. 1715, St Andrews Trent, Dorset
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| MP for Milborne Port | |
| In office April 1661 – July 1676 † |
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| Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset | |
| In office 1666 – 1676 † |
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| Royalist Governor of Dunster Castle | |
| In office June 1643 – April 1646 |
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| MP for Minehead | |
| In office 1640 – Suspended 1642 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | circa 1610 Kentsford House, Somerset |
| Died | 15 July 1676 (aged 66) Trent Manor House, Dorset |
| Resting place | St Andrews, Trent |
| Spouse | Anne Gerard (died 1653) |
| Relations | Edmund Wyndham |
| Children | Three sons, three daughters |
| Parents | Sir Thomas Wyndham (1570-1631), Elizabeth Coningsby (died 1635) |
| Alma mater | University of Padua |
| Occupation | Landowner |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Royalist |
| Years of service | 1642 to 1646 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | First English Civil War |
Sir Francis Wyndham, 1st Baronet (around 1612 – July 15, 1676) was an English soldier and politician. He lived at Trent, Dorset. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of England from 1640 until he died in 1676. During the First English Civil War, he was a colonel in the Royalist army. He is famous for helping Charles II of England escape to France after a big defeat in 1651.
Sir Francis's Early Life and Family
Francis Wyndham was born around 1610. He was the fifth son of Sir Thomas Wyndham (1570-1631) and his wife Elizabeth Coningsby (died 1635). His family, the Kentsford Wyndhams, was a large and important family in Somerset.
Francis had five brothers. Sadly, three of his brothers died during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms between 1638 and 1651.
In 1646, Francis married Anne Gerard. She was the daughter of Thomas Gerard (1593-1634), who owned Trent, Dorset. Francis and Anne had three sons: Thomas (1648-1691), Francis (1654-1716), and Gerard. They also had three daughters.
His Life as a Soldier and Politician
In the 1630s, Francis Wyndham traveled and studied in Europe. He graduated from the University of Padua in Italy in 1635. When he returned to England in April 1640, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Minehead.
When the First English Civil War started in August 1642, Francis became a colonel in the Royalist army. This army supported King Charles I. In June 1643, he became the governor of Dunster Castle. This castle was one of the last places in the West Country that the Royalists held onto. He surrendered the castle in April 1646.
The Wyndham family had close ties to the future King Charles II. Francis's sister-in-law, Lady Christabella, had been Charles's nurse and teacher. Francis, along with his uncle Sir Hugh (1603-1663), played a very important part in helping Charles II escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Francis hid the king in his house at Trent, Dorset, for several days. This was a very dangerous time for the king!
Later, during a time called The Protectorate, Francis was briefly arrested. People thought he might have been involved in a rebellion in 1655, but he was released without any charges.
After the king returned to power in 1660 (this was called the Stuart Restoration), Francis was again elected as an MP. He represented Milbourne Port in 1660 and then again in 1661. He remained an MP until his death. He also became a major in the Royal Horse Guards, a special army unit.
When his uncle died in 1663, Francis inherited Pilsdon. On November 18, 1673, he was given the title of baronet. This was a special honor, possibly because he gave up a claim for a large sum of money from the government. He passed away three years later at the age of 64. He is buried in St Andrews' parish church in Trent.
