Sir John Pryce, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Pryce, 1st Baronet (born around 1596, died around 1657), also sometimes known as Price, was an important figure in England and Wales. He held a special title called a Baronet and was also a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country.

Who Was Sir John Pryce?

Sir John Pryce was the son of Edward Pryce, who lived in a place called Newton in Montgomeryshire, Wales. This means Sir John had roots in both England and Wales.

His Life and Work

Sir John Pryce started his journey by studying law. In 1614, when he was about 18, he joined a famous place in London called the Inner Temple, where many lawyers trained.

Becoming a Baronet

In 1628, Sir John was given the special title of Baronet. This was a title given by the King, similar to being a knight, but it could be passed down through the family.

A Member of Parliament

In 1640, Sir John Pryce was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire. This was a very important job, as Members of Parliament helped decide how the country was run.

Changing Sides in the English Civil War

The 1640s were a time of great trouble in England, known as the English Civil War. This was a fight between King Charles I and Parliament.

• Starting as a Royalist: At first, Sir John supported the King. People who supported the King were called Royalists or Cavaliers. Because he joined the King in Oxford, he was stopped from being a Member of Parliament in 1642.
• Joining Parliament: However, in 1644, Sir John changed his mind and decided to support Parliament instead. He was then made the Governor of Montgomery Castle, a very important fortress.
• Returning to Parliament: After the war, he returned to Parliament in 1654, again representing Montgomeryshire.

His Family Life

Sir John Pryce married a woman named Catherine, who was the daughter of Sir Richard Pryse. They had many children, and their family line continued to hold the Baronet title for a long time.

One of his daughters, Juliana Pryce, married a man named Joseph Davie. Sadly, Juliana died in 1720 when she was only 28 years old, from a disease called smallpox. Her husband, Joseph, was very sad and had a special message carved for her on a monument in a church. It said she was very beautiful and kind.

The family home of Joseph and Juliana, Orleigh Court, was rebuilt by Joseph. You can still see their family symbols, called "arms," on the building's roof decorations.

His Death

Sir John Pryce passed away around the year 1657.