John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor (16061685) succeeded his father, Richard Robartes, as Baron Robartes of Truro in May 1634.

The barony was purchased under compulsion for £10,000 in 1625. The family had amassed great wealth by trading in tin and wool, and in 1620 bought and began extending Lanhydrock House as the family seat. Lanhydrock House near Bodmin.

Educated at Exeter College, Oxford, John Robartes fought on the side of the Parliament during the Civil War, being present at the Battle of Edgehill and at the First Battle of Newbury, and was a member of the committee of both kingdoms. He is said to have persuaded the Earl of Essex to make his ill-fated march into Cornwall in 1644; he escaped with the earl from Lostwithiel and was afterwards governor of Plymouth. He, like many other Lords who had sided with Parliament, was marginalised by the Independents who saw no future in continuing negotiations with King Charles. The execution of the King would have appalled him.

Between the execution of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II he retired to Lanhydrock with his family and took practically no part in public life. After 1660 he became a prominent public man, owing his prominence partly to his influence among the Presbyterians, and ranged himself among Lord Clarendon’s enemies. He was Lord Deputy of Ireland in 16601661 and was Lord Lieutenant in 16691670; from 1661 to 1673 he was Lord Privy Seal although he did not exercise his office after his return from Ireland. He once again retired to Lanhydrock where he spent much time hunting deer and hare in his parks. In 1679 Charles II recalled him to public office to counteract the growing power of the faction opposed to the succession of Charles' brother, the Catholic James. He was Lord President of the Council until 1684. In 1679 he was created Viscount Bodmin and Earl of Radnor, and he died at Chelsea on 17 July 1685. He was buried in the family crypt in Lanhydrock Church with little ceremony as he had stipulated in his will.

Honorary titles
Preceded by
The Earl of Pembroke
Custos Rotulorum of Cornwall
jointly with The Earl of Bath 1642–1654

1642–1685
Succeeded by
The Earl of Bath
Political offices
Preceded by
The Earl of Bath
Lord Privy Seal
1661–1673
Succeeded by
The Earl of Anglesey
Preceded by
Earl of Ossory
(Lord Deputy)
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
1669–1670
Succeeded by
The Lord Berkeley of Stratton
Preceded by
The Earl of Shaftesbury
Lord President of the Council
1679–1684
Succeeded by
The Earl of Rochester
Peerage of England
Preceded by
Richard Robartes
Baron Robartes
1634–1685
Succeeded by
Charles Bodville Robartes
Preceded by
New Creation
Earl of Radnor
1679–1685