Sir Robert Slingsby, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Robert Slingsby (1611–1661) was an important English leader. He was a baronet (a special title), a writer, and a commander in the Royal Navy. Towards the end of his life, he became a good friend and colleague of the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.
Robert was born in 1611 at Bifrons, near Canterbury. His father, Sir Guylford Slingsby, was also a high-ranking officer in the Navy. Robert's older brother, Guildford, was a smart young politician and lawyer who sadly died early in the English Civil War. Robert was also a cousin of Sir Henry Slingsby, who was involved in a plan to bring King Charles II back to power.
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Robert joined the Navy when he was very young. By the age of 22, he was given his first command, a ship called the Eighth Lyon's Whelp. Later, he commanded other ships like the Third Lyon's Whelp and the Expedition. On the Expedition, he helped move weapons from the Tower of London to Edinburgh in 1640. He then led a small group of ships in the English Channel. In 1642, he sailed the Garland to Lisbon, escorting the Portuguese Ambassador.
Supporting the King
When the English Civil War began, Robert supported King Charles I. However, his own sailors rebelled against him, and he was put in prison. After he was released, he joined the King in Oxford. In 1644, he traveled to Europe to help raise money for the King's side.
He later returned to England. Robert and his brother Walter were with Prince Rupert when the city of Bristol surrendered. After this, they went to Brussels to meet their brother Arthur. In 1650, like many who had supported the King, Robert had to "compound." This meant he paid a fine to the new government so he could keep some of his money and property. At this time, he was described as being "infirm and wounded," meaning he was sick and hurt.
The King Returns
When King Charles II returned to power in 1660 (an event called the Restoration), Robert was given an important job. He became the Comptroller of the Navy, the same job his father once had. He was also given a special title, becoming the first and last of the Slingsby baronets of Newcells.
Before this, Robert had given the King a book he wrote called "The Past and Present State of His Majesty's Navy." In his book, he suggested that sailors should be paid regularly. He also thought that naval officers should not be allowed to trade goods for their own profit. He believed it was important to encourage merchant shipping (ships that carry goods for trade).
Friendship with Samuel Pepys
Even though Samuel Pepys sometimes made jokes about Robert Slingsby, a strong friendship grew between them. Robert often invited Pepys to his home. He would read his poems to Pepys and share his knowledge of the Navy from King Charles I's time. This helped Pepys understand his own job better. Pepys greatly respected Robert Slingsby. He felt he could trust and look up to Robert more than most of his other colleagues.
His Death
Robert Slingsby did not hold his new job for very long. On October 22, 1661, Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary that Robert was sick with a fever. On October 24, Pepys noted that Robert was still very ill, making everyone worried. Robert died on October 26, 1661.
Pepys was very sad about Robert's death. He wrote that Robert was a man he loved more than all the other officers in the Navy. Pepys was upset that there was no memorial service for Robert. He thought this was a deliberate insult from other colleagues who didn't like Robert. Pepys believed these colleagues saw Robert's honesty as a problem for their own greedy plans. Even though some of them pretended to be sad, Pepys thought they were being fake.
Family Life
Robert Slingsby married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Brooke. She was the only daughter of Robert Brooke of Newcells, Hertfordshire. His second wife was Elizabeth Radclyffe. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Radclyffe of Dilston Castle, Northumberland. She was also the sister of Francis Radclyffe, 1st Earl of Derwentwater. Samuel Pepys described Robert's second wife as a "good woman."
Robert did not have any sons, so his special title of baronet ended when he died. According to Pepys, Robert did have at least one daughter, but not much is known about her.
