Sir Richard Tichborne, 2nd Baronet facts for kids
Sir Richard Tichborne (born 1578, died April 1657) was an important English politician and a military leader. He served in the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, starting in 1597. During the English Civil War, he was a commander for the King's side, known as the Royalists.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Richard Tichborne was the oldest son of Sir Benjamin Tichborne, 1st Baronet. His family, the Tichbornes, were a well-known Roman Catholic family. However, like his father and brothers, Richard outwardly followed the Church of England. This was important because at the time, everyone was expected to follow the official church.
Richard's career faced problems because his second wife and children did not follow the Church of England. This was called "recusancy." In 1624, a politician named Sir Daniel Norton spoke out against him in the House of Commons because of this. Richard also had money troubles, often getting into debt because he wanted to impress King James I.
Political Career
Richard Tichborne studied law at the Middle Temple in 1595. In 1597, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lyme Regis. An MP represents the people of an area in Parliament.
In 1603, he was knighted by the King. He also became a joint keeper of Winchester Castle with his father in 1604. By 1610, he was a ranger of West Beare forest, which meant he looked after the forest.
He continued his political career, being elected MP for Hampshire in 1614. He then became MP for Winchester in 1621 and was re-elected several times until 1628. Even though his wife's recusancy was still a topic of complaint, the King appointed him Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire in 1627. This was an important local government role.
Becoming a Baronet and Later Years
When his father died in 1629, Richard inherited the family lands and the title of Baronet. A Baronet is a special hereditary title, passed down through the family.
In the same year, he built a smaller estate in Aldershot. He also became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King Charles I. This meant he was a close personal attendant to the King. From 1622 to 1623, he went on a diplomatic trip to Brussels with his cousin, Sir Richard Weston. This involved representing the King's interests in another country.
English Civil War
During the English Civil War, Sir Richard Tichborne was a commander for the King's side. He defended Winchester Castle for the King. Because he supported the King, his family's lands were taken by the opposing side in 1650.
Sir Richard Tichborne passed away in April 1657, at the age of 79.
Family and Legacy
Sir Richard Tichborne was married twice. His first wife was Ellen White, who died in 1606. He then married Susan Waller in 1608. They had three sons and three daughters.
His son, Henry Tichborne, inherited the Baronetcy after his father's death. Henry also inherited his father's large debts, which were about £15,000 in 1650. Henry worked hard to improve the family's financial situation. By 1660, when the King was restored to power, Henry had increased the family's income to about £1,000 a year.
