Sir John Stanhope facts for kids
Sir John Stanhope (born in 1559, died in 1611) was an important English knight and landowner. He was the father of Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield, who became a famous earl.
Sir John Stanhope's Life and Work
John Stanhope was the son of Sir Thomas Stanhope (who died in 1596). His father lived at Shelford Manor in Nottinghamshire. His mother was Margaret Port, the daughter of Sir John Port from Etwall, Derbyshire.
A Disagreement with Charles Cavendish
Sir John Stanhope had a long-standing disagreement with Charles Cavendish. One of the issues was about a special fishing trap in the River Trent. Cavendish wanted to settle their dispute with a duel. A duel is a planned fight between two people, usually with weapons.
They planned to fight with rapiers, which are long, thin swords. They met by boat at Lambeth bridge. However, it was discovered that Sir John Stanhope was wearing a special padded jacket. This jacket was designed to protect him from sword cuts. Because of this, the fight was called off.
Sir John Stanhope's Family Life
Sir John Stanhope was married twice. His first wife was Cordelia Alington. With her, he had his oldest son and heir, Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield (who died in 1656).
His second wife was Catherine Trentham (1566–1621). They had several children together:
- John (died 29 May 1638), who later became a knight. He was the High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1629. A High Sheriff was a very important official in a county. John married Mary Radcliffe. His father gave him Elvaston Castle and its land. This land used to belong to a former monastery called Shelford Priory. He was the great-grandfather of the first Earl of Harrington.
- Cordelia (born 1585, buried 2 October 1639). She first married Sir Roger Aston (who died in 1612). Later, she married John Mohun, 1st Baron Mohun of Okehampton.
- Jane (1606–1683). She first married Sir Peter Courten, who was a baronet. A baronet is a special title of honor. She then married Francis Annesley, 1st Viscount Valentia. They had nine children together. Jane died in 1683 or 1684 and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham.
- Catherine (1610–1694). She married Sir Thomas Hutchinson (MP) in 1631. They had three children: Charles Hutchinson, who was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Nottingham, Stanhope Hutchinson, and Isabella Hutchinson. Isabella married Charles Cotton.
- Anne or Anna Katherine (1593–1637). She married Thomas Cokain around 1607. She was the mother of the writer Aston Cockain or Cockayne. As "Mrs Cokain," she exchanged letters with the famous poet John Donne.
- Dorothy (1595–1647).
- Thomas (died at birth in 1592).
