Valentine Knightley (died 1618) facts for kids
Sir Valentine Knightley (born around 1555 – died 9 December 1618) was an important English landowner and a Member of Parliament. This means he owned a lot of land and helped make laws for the country. He lived during a time when England was ruled by kings and queens, and people like Sir Valentine played a big part in how the country was run.
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Early Life and Education
Valentine Knightley was the oldest son of Sir Richard Knightley. His family lived at a grand place called Fawsley Hall in Northamptonshire, England.
He went to Hart Hall, Oxford University in 1568. Later, in 1605, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Oxford. He also studied law at Gray's Inn starting in 1583. This training helped him understand the country's laws and how the government worked.
On 11 May 1603, he was made a knight. This was a special honor given by the King or Queen. He took over his father's estates and responsibilities in 1615.
A Career in Parliament
Sir Valentine Knightley was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) many times. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's law-making body.
He represented the town of Tavistock in Parliament in 1584 and again in 1586. Later, in 1593, he was an MP for Northampton. He returned to represent Tavistock in 1597.
In 1604, he was chosen to be a "knight of the shire" for Northamptonshire. This was a very important role, representing his home county. He was also elected for Dunwich, but his friend Thomas Smythe took that seat instead.
Important Roles and Companies
Sir Valentine held many other important jobs during his life. He served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Northamptonshire at different times. A Justice of the Peace helps keep order and deals with minor legal issues in their local area.
He also worked as a judge in special courts called "oyer and terminer courts." These courts handled serious criminal cases. He served on the Oxford circuit (a route judges traveled) from 1609 until he died. He also worked on the Midland circuit from 1616.
Sir Valentine was interested in new adventures and trade. In 1611, he became a member of the Virginia Company. This company helped set up the first English settlements in North America, like Jamestown. In 1612, he joined the North West Passage Company. This company was looking for a sea route to Asia through the Arctic.
In 1617 and 1618, he was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire. This was a key role in local government, responsible for law enforcement and collecting taxes. By 1618, he was also a deputy lieutenant for Northamptonshire, helping to organize the local military.
Later Life and Legacy
Sir Valentine Knightley passed away in 1618, not long after his father. He was a very wealthy man when he died. He was buried at his family home, Fawsley.
He was married to Anne, the daughter of Sir Edward Unton. They had one son, who sadly died before Sir Valentine, and three daughters. After Sir Valentine's death, the Fawsley estate went to his nephew, Richard, who also became an MP for Northamptonshire.
