Thomas Crewe facts for kids
Sir Thomas Crewe (born 1565 – died 31 January 1634) was an important English lawyer and politician. He lived in a place called Stene, near Farthinghoe and Brackley in Northamptonshire. Sir Thomas was a Member of Parliament, which means he was elected to represent people in the English government. He also held a very important job as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1623 to 1625. The Speaker is like the leader of the debates in Parliament.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Crewe was the son of John Crewe and Alicia Manwaring. He studied law at a famous place called Gray's Inn in London. After his studies, he became a "serjeant-at-law," which was a high-ranking lawyer at the time.
In 1603, when the royal family moved to Woodstock Palace to avoid the plague in London, Thomas Crewe sent a letter to a noblewoman named Mary Talbot, the Countess of Shrewsbury. His letter was about important news and business, including the marriage of her daughter, Mary, to the Earl of Pembroke.
Political Career
Thomas Crewe first became a Member of Parliament in 1604, representing the town of Lichfield. Later, he represented other areas like Northampton (from 1621 to 1622), Aylesbury (from 1623 to 1625), and Gatton (in 1625).
In 1621, he became well-known for standing up to King James I. He bravely stated that the Parliament's freedoms were "matters of inheritance," meaning they were rights passed down through generations, not something the King could take away.
In 1623, he was given the title of "Sir" (knighted). The next year, in February 1624, he was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. He served as Speaker during two Parliaments, which were later called the "Happy Parliament" and the "Useless Parliament." In 1633, he was also appointed to a special group that dealt with church matters. He passed away the following year.
Family and Legacy
Sir Thomas Crewe married Temperance Bray. They had several children. One of their sons, John, also became a Member of Parliament. John Crewe was later given the title of Baron Crew in 1661 because of his important role in bringing back the monarchy during the Restoration period.
Sir Thomas Crewe lived at his home in Stene, Northamptonshire, and died on 31 January 1634.
