Thomas Honywood facts for kids

Sir Thomas Honywood (born January 15, 1586 – died May 26, 1666) was an English soldier who lived during the time of the English Civil War. He later became a Member of Parliament, which means he was chosen to represent people in the English government. He was also known as Thomas, Lord Honywood. His home was at Marks Hall in Essex.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Honywood was born in Betchworth Castle, Surrey. He was the oldest son of Robert Honywood and the grandson of Mary Honywood. He also had a half-brother named Sir Robert Honywood. Thomas Honywood came from an important family in Essex. He was made a knight on November 22, 1632, which gave him the title "Sir."

Role in the English Civil War

When the English Civil War began, Sir Thomas Honywood decided to support the Parliament's side against the King. In 1648, he was part of a special group for Essex that helped manage things for Parliament.

Leading Forces at Colchester

In the same year, he led the forces from Essex during the Siege of Colchester. This was a big battle where Parliament's army, led by Thomas Fairfax, surrounded the town of Colchester.

Battle of Worcester and Royal Trial

In 1649, Sir Thomas Honywood was chosen to be part of a group that would try King Charles I. However, he did not actually serve on the court. Later, in 1651, he also led a group of soldiers at the Battle of Worcester. This was another important battle during the war. After this, he received a special degree from Oxford University on September 9, 1651.

Serving in Parliament

Sir Thomas Honywood was elected to Parliament to represent Essex. He served in the First and Second Parliaments during the time called the Protectorate. In 1658, he was even made a member of Cromwell's new Upper House, which was like a higher part of Parliament.

However, some of the very strict Puritans did not fully trust him. They thought he was "rather soft in his spirit," meaning he might not have been as tough or strict as they wanted. After the King returned to power in the English Restoration, Sir Thomas Honywood stopped being involved in public life.

Family Life

Sir Thomas Honywood married Hester Manning on May 13, 1634. She was the daughter of a London merchant named John La Motte and had been married before to another merchant, John Manning. They were married at All Hallows, London Wall in London.

Sir Thomas and Hester had a son named John Lamotte Honywood, who took over the family after his father. They also had a daughter named Elizabeth Honywood, who married Sir John Cotton. Sir Thomas Honywood passed away at his son-in-law's home, Cotton House, in Westminster.

Sources

• Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1930)
• R. C. Latham & W. Matthews, The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Volume X - Companion (London: HarperCollins, 1995)
• Mark Noble, Memoirs of several persons and families... allied to or descended from... the Protectorate-House of Cromwell (Birmingham: Pearson & Rollason, 1784) [1]