Thomas Fairfax, 1st Viscount Fairfax facts for kids

Thomas Fairfax, 1st Viscount Fairfax of Emley (1575 – 23 December 1636) was an important English landowner and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons at different times between 1601 and 1626. Later, in 1629, he was given the special title of Viscount Fairfax in the Peerage of Ireland. This meant he became a nobleman. He also built a large house in Bishophill (York) during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Fairfax was the only son of Sir William Fairfax and Jane Stapleton. His family lived at Gilling Castle and Walton in Yorkshire, England.

He went to school in Gilling and then studied at Caius College, Cambridge starting in 1590. When his father passed away in 1597, Thomas inherited the family estates. He was also involved in farming, especially raising sheep.

Thomas Fairfax's Public Service

Thomas Fairfax held several important roles during his life. These roles showed his commitment to public service and his community.

Early Political Roles

In 1600, he became a commissioner for musters in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This meant he helped organize local military forces. In 1601, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge.

By 1603, he was a J.P. for the North Riding of Yorkshire. A Justice of the Peace was a local official who helped keep law and order. In April 1603, he was knighted, which gave him the title "Sir Thomas Fairfax." From July 1603, he was part of the council in the north, which was an important governing body. He even served as vice-president of this council in 1608 and 1616.

Serving in Parliament

Thomas Fairfax continued his political career. In 1621, he was elected as an MP for Hedon. He was re-elected for Hedon in 1624, 1625, and 1626, showing that people trusted him to represent them.

From 1627 to 1628, he held the position of High Sheriff of Yorkshire. This was a very important role in the county, responsible for law enforcement and other duties. On January 10, 1629, he was given the title of Viscount Fairfax, making him a nobleman.

Family Life

Thomas Fairfax had a large family and was married twice.

First Marriage and Children

In 1594, Thomas Fairfax married Catherine Constable. They had six sons and five daughters together. Catherine was a Catholic, which was not the official religion in England at the time. She faced legal issues for practicing her faith, but she was often not fined. This might have been because Thomas Fairfax was friends with Sir Arthur Ingram, who collected these fines. Some of their sons also studied at Catholic colleges abroad.

Their children included:

• Thomas Fairfax, 2nd Viscount Fairfax (around 1599–1641)
• Hon. Henry Fairfax (died 1650)
• Hon. William Fairfax
• Hon. Nicholas Fairfax (died 1657)
• Hon. Jane Fairfax, who married Cuthbert Morley.
• Hon. Margaret Fairfax, who married Watkinson Payler and later John Hotham.
• Hon. Katherine Fairfax (died 1666/7), who married Robert Stapleton, then Sir Matthew Boynton, 1st Baronet, then Sir Arthur Ingram, and finally William Wickham.
• Hon. Mary Fairfax, who married Sir Thomas Layton.
• Hon. Dorothy Fairfax (died 1686), who married John Ingram and later Sir Thomas Norcliffe.

Second Marriage and Later Life

After Catherine's death in 1626, Thomas Fairfax married Lady Mary Bamburgh in 1627. She was the widow of Sir William Bamburgh.

Thomas Fairfax passed away at Howsham when he was about 61 years old and was buried at Scrayingham. His second wife, Lady Mary, died in March 1638 or 1639.