Sir John Bampfylde, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Bampfylde (born around 1610, died 1650) was an important English lawyer and politician. He lived in places like Poltimore, North Molton, and Tamerton Foliot in Devon. During the English Civil War, he was a leader for the Parliamentarian side in Devon.

The Bampfylde family's coat of arms

Family Background

Sir John was the third son of John Bampfield. His family lived in Poltimore and North Molton, Devon. His mother was Elizabeth Drake. Her uncle was the famous Admiral Sir Francis Drake. Over time, the family's last name changed a few times, eventually becoming Bampfylde.

Poltimore House, the home of the Bampfylde family

His Education

John Bampfylde went to Wadham College, Oxford when he was 19 years old. He also studied law at a place called Middle Temple in London.

His Political Career

In November 1640, Bampfylde was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Penryn, Cornwall. This was for a special meeting of Parliament called the Long Parliament.

At first, during the English Civil War, Bampfylde supported the King, King Charles I. People who supported the King were called Royalists. Because of his support, King Charles I made him a Baronet in 1641. A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in the family.

Later, Sir John Bampfylde changed sides. He began to support the Parliament. People who supported Parliament were called Parliamentarians or Roundheads. He stayed in Parliament until 1648.

Marriage and Family

Left: The Bampfylde family's coat of arms joined with the Coplestone family's arms. This is from Sir John's tombstone.

In 1637, Sir John Bampfylde married Gertrude Coplestone. She was from a family that owned land in places like Copleston and Tamerton Foliot in Devon. Gertrude inherited the manor of Tamerton Foliot. A manor is a large estate with a main house and land. Because of this, Tamerton Foliot became another home for the Bampfylde family.

Sir John and Gertrude had many children. They had thirteen children in total: eight daughters and five sons.

Death and Successor

Sir John Bampfylde passed away in April 1650. He was buried in Poltimore. His oldest son, Sir Coplestone Bampfylde, 2nd Baronet, took over his title as Baronet. Much later, one of his descendants became George Bampfylde, 1st Baron Poltimore.

His Memorial Stone

Sir John Bampfylde's memorial stone in Poltimore Church

You can still see Sir John Bampfylde's memorial stone today. It is on the floor of St Mary's Church in Poltimore. The stone says:

"Here lyeth John Bampfylde Baronett who died Aprill 24 1650 in the 40 yeere of his ag^e. The righteous perisheth and no man layet^h it to heart and mercifull men ar taken away none considering that the righteo^us is taken away from the evill to come".

Above the writing, you can see the coats of arms for the Bampfylde family and the Coplestone family joined together.