William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter facts for kids
William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter (1566 – 6 July 1640), was an important English nobleman and politician. He was also known as the Lord Burghley for some time. He held high honors like being a Knight of the Garter (KG) and a member of the Privy Council of England (PC).
William Cecil's Life Story
Early Life and Education
William Cecil was the son of Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter, and Dorothy Neville. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a well-known university. After his studies, he traveled around Europe. He also joined Gray's Inn, which was a place where people learned about law.
Becoming a Leader
William Cecil started his political career at a young age. In 1586, when he was just 20, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Stamford. He was elected again in 1589. Later, in 1597, he became an MP for Rutland.
In 1603, he was made a Knight Bachelor. This was a special honor given by the King. From 1623 to 1640, he was the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire. This meant he was the King's main representative in that area.
In 1623, he inherited important titles. He became the 3rd Baron of Burghley and the 2nd Earl of Exeter. In 1626, he joined the Privy Council of England, a group of important advisors to the King. In 1630, he received another high honor: he became a Knight of the Order of the Garter.
His Family
In 1589, William Cecil married Elizabeth Manners. She was the only child of Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland. William and Elizabeth had one son:
- William Cecil, 16th Baron Ros
Elizabeth passed away in 1591. William then married Elizabeth Drury. She was the daughter of Sir William Drury and Elizabeth Stafford. William and Elizabeth Drury had three daughters:
- Anne Cecil (born 1596) married Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford. They had children.
- Diana Cecil (1596 – 1654) married Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford. They did not have children. She later married Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin, but they also did not have children.
- Elizabeth Cecil (died 1672) married Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Berkshire. They had children.
