Thomas Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh facts for kids
Thomas Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh (born 1595 – died 22 February 1672) was an important English politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, from 1628 to 1629. During a big conflict called the English Civil War, he strongly supported the King. Because of his loyalty, he was given a special title and became a baron in 1643.
Early Life and Family
Thomas Leigh was born in 1595. His father was Sir John Leigh, and his mother was Ursula Hoddesdon. When he was about 13 years old, he went to Magdalen College, Oxford, a famous university.
Thomas inherited a special family title, a "baronetcy," when his grandfather, Sir Thomas Leigh, 1st Baronet, passed away in 1626. This meant he became Sir Thomas Leigh, 2nd Baronet.
A Career in Politics
In 1628, Thomas Leigh was chosen to be a member of parliament for Warwickshire. This meant he represented his area in the House of Commons. He served there until 1629. At that time, King Charles I decided to rule England without parliament for eleven years, a period known as the Personal Rule.
Later, from 1636 to 1637, Thomas Leigh held another important job. He was the Sheriff of Warwickshire. The Sheriff was a key official responsible for law and order in the county.
Loyalty During the Civil War
The English Civil War was a huge conflict in England between those who supported the King (called Royalists) and those who supported Parliament. Thomas Leigh was a very loyal supporter of King Charles I.
During the war, he even hosted the King at his home, Stoneleigh, when the gates of a nearby city, Coventry, were closed to the King. Because of his strong loyalty and support, King Charles I gave him the title of Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh on 1 July 1643. This made him a "peer," a member of the nobility.
Family Life
Around 1615, Thomas Leigh married Mary Egerton. Mary was the daughter of Sir Thomas Egerton. Thomas and Mary had a large family with at least seven children: five sons and two daughters.
Their oldest son, also named Thomas, sadly passed away before his father. Because of this, when Thomas Leigh, the 1st Baron, died in 1672 at about 77 years old, his title passed to his eldest grandson, who was also named Thomas.
