Thomas Englefield facts for kids
Sir Thomas Englefield (also known as Inglefield) was an important person in English history. He lived a long time ago, from around 1455 to 1514. He was famous for being the Speaker of the House of Commons, which is a very important job in the English government.
Early Life and Family
Thomas Englefield was born around 1455. He probably grew up in a place called Englefield in Berkshire, England. His family had lived there for many, many years and were known as the Lords of the Manor. This meant they were important landowners in the area.
When Thomas was young, his father, John Englefield, passed away. His grandfather, Robert Englefield, then made sure he got a good education. Thomas studied law at a famous place called the Middle Temple. This training helped him a lot in his future career.
A Knight and a Judge
Sir Thomas Englefield became a Knight of the Bath in 1501. This was a special honor given to important people, often during big events like royal weddings. He received this honor when Prince Arthur got married.
He also owned land near the border of Wales, especially in a county called Worcestershire. In 1493, he became a magistrate, also known as a Justice of the Peace (JP). This meant he was a local judge who helped keep law and order in the area.
Leading the House of Commons
Sir Thomas Englefield was chosen to represent Berkshire in the English Parliament. He was called a "knight of the shire," which was like being a Member of Parliament (MP) today. He served in Parliament in 1497 and again in 1510.
On both occasions, his fellow Members of Parliament chose him to be the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is like the leader or chairperson of the House of Commons. They make sure debates run smoothly and that everyone follows the rules. It's a very respected and powerful position.
His Family Legacy
Sir Thomas Englefield was married to a woman named Margery. Her father was Sir Richard Danvers. Thomas and Margery had two sons. Their first son, Richard, sadly died when he was young.
Their second son, also named Thomas, became his father's heir. This means he inherited his father's property and titles. This younger Thomas later became a judge. His son, Sir Francis Englefield, grew up to be a well-known politician in England.
