Thomas Jermyn (1604–1659) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Jermyn
A portrait Thomas Jermyn, circa 1700 (after an earlier painting of 1640)
Born	March 1604
Died	11 November 1659
Spouse(s)	Rebecca Rodway (m.1629)
Issue	Thomas Jermyn Henry Jermyn
Father	Sir Thomas Jermyn
Mother	Catherine Killigrew
Occupation	Courtier and Royalist politician

Thomas Jermyn (born March 1604 – died 11 November 1659) was an important English gentleman who worked for the King. He was also a politician, meaning he was involved in how the country was run. He was a member of the House of Commons (part of the English Parliament) for many years, from 1625 to 1644. Thomas Jermyn was a strong supporter of the King during the English Civil War, siding with the group known as the Royalists.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Jermyn was the son of Sir Thomas Jermyn. His mother was Catherine Killigrew. He was born in Hanworth, which was his mother's family home. He grew up at Rushbrooke Hall in Suffolk, which was his father's family estate.

In 1622, Thomas started studying at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree in 1626 and a master's degree in 1629. His family had close ties to the royal family, the Stuarts. In 1623, he became a page (a young servant) to Prince Charles. He even traveled with the Prince to Spain that year, along with his father.

His Political Career

Thomas Jermyn became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1624. He represented the area of Bere Alston. The next year, in 1625, he was elected as an MP for Leicester. He continued to be elected for different areas, including Lancaster in 1626 and Clitheroe in 1628. He served until 1629, when King Charles I decided to close Parliament for a while.

In 1626, Thomas Jermyn was given a special job as an equerry to the King. This meant he was a personal attendant to the King. That same year, he spoke out against Parliament's attempts to remove the King's close friend, the Duke of Buckingham, from his position.

In April 1640, Thomas was again elected as an MP for Corfe Castle. His brother, Henry Jermyn, was also elected with him. Later that year, in November 1640, both brothers were elected to represent Bury St Edmunds in what was called the Long Parliament.

The English Civil War

As the English Civil War began in 1642, Thomas Jermyn chose to support King Charles I. The group supporting Parliament, known as the Roundheads, removed him from Parliament in September 1643. Thomas then attended a special Parliament held by the King's supporters in Oxford in 1644.

After the King's side lost the war, Thomas Jermyn went into exile, meaning he left England. In January 1651, he returned to Suffolk. He lived a quiet life there during the time England was ruled by The Protectorate (a period without a king). He passed away in November 1659.

Marriage and Children

In 1629, Thomas Jermyn married Rebecca Rodway. She was the daughter of William Rodway from London. Thomas and Rebecca had four sons and four daughters together.

One of their sons, also named Thomas Jermyn, later inherited a special title called Baron Jermyn. This title came from Thomas Jermyn's brother, Henry. Another son, Henry Jermyn, became a close friend of King James II. In 1661, Thomas Jermyn's wife, Rebecca, married again to Henry Brouncker, 3rd Viscount Brouncker.