Thomas West, 2nd Baron De La Warr facts for kids

Thomas West, 2nd and 11th Baron De La Warr (pronounced del-Ə-wair; born around 1550 – died March 24, 1602) was an important English nobleman. He lived at Wherwell Abbey in Hampshire and was a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. He was part of her special group called the Privy Council.

Life of Thomas West

Thomas West was the oldest son of William West, 1st Baron De La Warr. His mother was Elizabeth Strange. When his father passed away in 1595, Thomas became the next Baron De La Warr in 1597. This title was given to him through official documents called "letters patent."

His Role in Parliament

Thomas West was a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas. He represented Yarmouth, Isle of Wight in 1586. Later, in 1593, he was an MP for Aylesbury. In 1587, he was given the title of Knight, which is an honor from the Queen.

From 1590 until his death, he also held an important job as one of the two Chamberlains of the Exchequer. This role involved managing the country's money.

Claiming an Older Title

In 1597, Thomas West asked the House of Lords (a part of the English Parliament) to recognize him as holding a much older family title. He wanted to be seen as the 11th Baron, not just the 2nd. His request was approved, and after that, he sometimes called himself the 11th Baron.

Thomas West's Family

Thomas West married Anne Knollys on November 19, 1571. Anne was the daughter of Sir Francis Knollys. Thomas and Anne had many children together: six sons and eight daughters.

• Sir Robert West: He married Elizabeth Cocke around 1592. Robert passed away before his father did.
• Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr: Born in 1577, he became the next Baron after his father. He married Cecily Shirley.
• Walsingham West: Another son of Thomas and Anne.
• Francis West: Born in 1586, he became a Governor of Virginia. He moved to Virginia and had children there.
• John West: Born in 1590, he also became a Governor of Virginia and moved to the colony. He married Anne Percy.
• Nathaniel West: Born in 1592, he also moved to Virginia. He married Frances Greville.
• Elizabeth West: Born in 1573, she married Herbert Pelham in 1594.
• Lettice West: Born in 1579, she married Henry Ludlow.
• Anne West: Born in 1588, she married John Pellatt. She later married two more times.
• Penelope West: Born in 1582, she married Herbert Pelham.
• Katherine West: Born in 1583, she married Nickolas Strelley.
• Helen West: Born in 1587, she married Sir William Savage.
• Anne Hannah West: She married George Merriman in 1610.
• Elizabeth West: She married Sir Richard Saltonstall.