Edward North, 1st Baron North
Encyclopedia
Edward North, 1st Baron North (c. 1496–1564) was an English peer
and politician. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire
1559–1564 and Clerk of the Parliaments
. A successful lawyer, he was awarded a title, Baron North
, created for him.
.
His father died in 1509, when Edward was in his fourteenth year, and he later entered Peterhouse, Cambridge
; but he seems never to have proceeded to a degree. He then entered one of the inns of court, was called to the bar, and became counsel for the city of London, probably through the influence of Alderman Wilkinson, who had married his sister Joan.
, a court created by the king for dealing with the estates which had been confiscated by the dissolution of the monasteries
. In 1541 he was knighted, and served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire
for 1543 . He was one of the knights of the shire
for Cambridgeshire
in parliament in 1542, 1547 and 1553.
On the resignation of the chancellorship by Sir Thomas Audley in 1544, he was deputed, together with Sir Thomas Pope, to receive the great seal, and to deliver it into the hands of the king. In 1545 he was one of a commission of inquiry as to the distribution of the revenues of certain cathedrals and collegiate churches, and about the same time he was promoted, with Sir Richard Rich, chancellor of the court of augmentations, and on the resignation of his colleague he became sole chancellor of the court. In 1546 he was made a member of the privy council, received some extensive grants of abbey lands, and managed by prudence to retain the favour of his sovereign, though on one occasion towards the end of his reign Henry VIII was induced to distrust him, and even to accuse him of peculation, a charge of which he cleared himself. He was named as one of the executors of King Henry's will, and a legacy of £300 was bequeathed to him.
On the accession of Edward VI North was induced, under pressure, to resign his office as chancellor of augmentations. He continued on the privy council during the young king's reign, and was one of those who attested his will, but his name does not appear among the signatories of the deed of settlement disinheriting the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. North was among the supporters of Lady Jane Gray.
He was not only pardoned by Mary, but again sworn of the privy council, and on 5 April 1554 he was summoned to parliament as a baron of the realm by the title of Lord North of Kirtling
. He was chosen among other lords to receive Philip II of Spain
at Southampton on 19 July 1554, and was present at the marriage of the queen. In the following November he attended at the reception of Cardinal Pole at St. James's, and he was in the commission for the suppression of heresy in 1557.
On the accession of Elizabeth she kept her court for six days (23 to 29 November 1558) at Lord North's mansion in the London Charterhouse
, and some time afterwards he was appointed lord-lieutenant of the county of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely. He was not, however, admitted as a privy councillor, though his name appears as still taking part in public affairs. In the summer of 1560 he lost his first wife, who died at the Charterhouse, but was carried with great pomp to Kirtling to be buried. Lord North entertained the queen a second time at the Charterhouse for four days, from 10 to 13 July 1561. Soon after this he retired from court, and spent most of his time at Kirtling in retirement. He died at the Charterhouse on 31 December 1564, and was buried at Kirtling, beside his first wife, in the family vault. His monumental inscription may still be seen in the chancel of Kirtling Church.
, and Sir Thomas North, translator of Plutarch's ‘Lives,’ and two daughters: Christiana, wife of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester
, and Mary, wife of Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton
.
His second wife was Margaret, daughter of Richard Butler of London, and widow of, first, Sir David Brooke, chief baron of the exchequer; secondly, of Andrew Francis; and, thirdly, of Robert Charlsey, alderman of London. She survived till 2 June 1575. This lady, like his first wife, brought her husband a large fortune, which he left to her absolutely by his will.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
and politician. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire
Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representative in the counties of the United Kingdom. The Lord Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants which he or...
1559–1564 and Clerk of the Parliaments
Clerk of the Parliaments
The Clerk of the Parliaments is the chief clerk of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The position has existed since at least 1315, and duties include preparing the minutes of Lords proceedings, advising on proper parliamentary procedure and pronouncing the Royal Assent...
. A successful lawyer, he was awarded a title, Baron North
Baron North
Baron North, of Kirtling Tower in the County of Cambridge, is an abeyant title in the Peerage of England. It was created on 17 January 1554, for Sir Edward North. He was a successful lawyer, clerk of the Parliament and chancellor of the Court of Augmentations. The barony was created by writ, which...
, created for him.
Early life
Born about 1496, was the only son of Roger North, a citizen of London, by Christian, daughter of Richard Warcup of Sinnington, Yorkshire, and widow of Ralph Warren. He studied at St. Paul's School under William LilyeWilliam Lilye
William Lily was an English classical grammarian and scholar. He was an author of the most widely used Latin grammar textbook in England and was the first headmaster of St Paul's School, London.-Life:...
.
His father died in 1509, when Edward was in his fourteenth year, and he later entered Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...
; but he seems never to have proceeded to a degree. He then entered one of the inns of court, was called to the bar, and became counsel for the city of London, probably through the influence of Alderman Wilkinson, who had married his sister Joan.
Career
In 1531 he was appointed clerk of the parliament, and was associated in that office with Sir Brian Tuke. In 1536 he appears as one of the king's serjeants. In 1541 he resigned his office as clerk of the parliament, on being appointed treasurer of the court of augmentationsCourt of Augmentations
The Court of Augmentations was established during the reign of King Henry VIII of England along with three lesser courts following the dissolution of the monasteries. Its primary function was to gain better control over the land and finances formerly held by the Roman Catholic Church in the kingdom...
, a court created by the king for dealing with the estates which had been confiscated by the dissolution of the monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
. In 1541 he was knighted, and served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire
High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire
This is a list of people who have served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire.-Before 1154:*Tempore Regis Eduardi: Aluric Godricson, Orgar, Blacuin*1066: Elfric* 1128: Fulk*1070–c.1090: Picot of Cambridge *Michaelmas 1129: Richard Basset with Aubrey de Vere...
for 1543 . He was one of the knights of the shire
Knights of the Shire
From the creation of the Parliament of England in mediaeval times until 1826 each county of England and Wales sent two Knights of the Shire as members of Parliament to represent the interests of the county, when the number of knights from Yorkshire was increased to four...
for Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Cambridgeshire is a former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. It was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. It was represented by two Knights...
in parliament in 1542, 1547 and 1553.
On the resignation of the chancellorship by Sir Thomas Audley in 1544, he was deputed, together with Sir Thomas Pope, to receive the great seal, and to deliver it into the hands of the king. In 1545 he was one of a commission of inquiry as to the distribution of the revenues of certain cathedrals and collegiate churches, and about the same time he was promoted, with Sir Richard Rich, chancellor of the court of augmentations, and on the resignation of his colleague he became sole chancellor of the court. In 1546 he was made a member of the privy council, received some extensive grants of abbey lands, and managed by prudence to retain the favour of his sovereign, though on one occasion towards the end of his reign Henry VIII was induced to distrust him, and even to accuse him of peculation, a charge of which he cleared himself. He was named as one of the executors of King Henry's will, and a legacy of £300 was bequeathed to him.
On the accession of Edward VI North was induced, under pressure, to resign his office as chancellor of augmentations. He continued on the privy council during the young king's reign, and was one of those who attested his will, but his name does not appear among the signatories of the deed of settlement disinheriting the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. North was among the supporters of Lady Jane Gray.
He was not only pardoned by Mary, but again sworn of the privy council, and on 5 April 1554 he was summoned to parliament as a baron of the realm by the title of Lord North of Kirtling
Kirtling
Kirtling together with Kirtling Green and Kirtling Towers is a scattered settlement in the east of the English county of Cambridgeshire.It is a civil parish with the nearby village of Upend which lies to its north....
. He was chosen among other lords to receive Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
at Southampton on 19 July 1554, and was present at the marriage of the queen. In the following November he attended at the reception of Cardinal Pole at St. James's, and he was in the commission for the suppression of heresy in 1557.
On the accession of Elizabeth she kept her court for six days (23 to 29 November 1558) at Lord North's mansion in the London Charterhouse
London Charterhouse
The London Charterhouse is a historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London dating back to the 14th century. It occupies land to the north of Charterhouse Square. The Charterhouse began as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 and dissolved in 1537...
, and some time afterwards he was appointed lord-lieutenant of the county of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely. He was not, however, admitted as a privy councillor, though his name appears as still taking part in public affairs. In the summer of 1560 he lost his first wife, who died at the Charterhouse, but was carried with great pomp to Kirtling to be buried. Lord North entertained the queen a second time at the Charterhouse for four days, from 10 to 13 July 1561. Soon after this he retired from court, and spent most of his time at Kirtling in retirement. He died at the Charterhouse on 31 December 1564, and was buried at Kirtling, beside his first wife, in the family vault. His monumental inscription may still be seen in the chancel of Kirtling Church.
Family
Lord North was twice married. About his thirty-third year he married Alice, daughter of Oliver Squier of Southby, Hampshire, and widow of John Brockenden of Southampton, with whom he acquired a fortune large enough to enable him to purchase the estate of Kirtling, near Newmarket, which remained in the possession of his descendants until 1941. By Alice he had two sons: Roger North, 2nd Baron NorthRoger North, 2nd Baron North
Roger North, 2nd Baron North was an English peer and politician at the court of Elizabeth I.He was the son of Edward North, 1st Baron North, for whom the title Baron North had been created. After representing Cambridgeshire in several parliaments , North acceded to his title in 1564...
, and Sir Thomas North, translator of Plutarch's ‘Lives,’ and two daughters: Christiana, wife of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester
William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester
William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, KG was born before 1526 to Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne....
, and Mary, wife of Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton
Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton
Sir Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton, KG was the son and heir of John Scrope, 8th Baron Scrope of Bolton and Catherine Clifford, daughter of Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland....
.
His second wife was Margaret, daughter of Richard Butler of London, and widow of, first, Sir David Brooke, chief baron of the exchequer; secondly, of Andrew Francis; and, thirdly, of Robert Charlsey, alderman of London. She survived till 2 June 1575. This lady, like his first wife, brought her husband a large fortune, which he left to her absolutely by his will.