Sir Robert Naunton (1563 – 27 March 1635) was an English writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1606 and 1626.
Contents |
Naunton was the son of Henry Naunton of Alderton, Suffolk. He he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, becoming a fellow of his college in 1585 and public orator of the university in 1594.[1] Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, commissioned him to spend some time abroad, sending information about European affairs. On his return, Naunton was elected Member of Parliament for Helston at a by-election in 1606.
In 1614 Naunton was knighted and in 1616 became master of requests and later surveyor of the court of wards. In December 1617 his friend George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham procured for him the position of Secretary of State on the condition of his making Christopher Villiers, Buckingham's brother, his heir, and during his lifetime Villiers gained from Naunton estates worth £500 a year.[2] In 1621 Naunton was elected MP for (Cambridge University. His strong Protestant opinions led him to favour more active intervention by England in the interests of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and more vigorous application of the laws against Roman Catholics. Naunton was censured after the Spanish ambassador, Gondomar, complained to King James I. Consequently, in 1623, Naunton resigned as Secretary of State and was made master of the Court of Wards and Liveries. He was re-elected MP for Cambridge University in 1624 and 1625. He was elected MP for Suffolk in 1626.
Naunton died at Letheringham, Suffolk at the age of 71.
Naunton's daughter Penelope married Philip Herbert, 5th Earl of Pembroke in his first marriage, and he thus became the grandfather of the sixth Earl of Pembroke.
Naunton's account of Queen Elizabeth's reign was still in manuscript when he died. As Fragmenta regalia, written by Sir Robert Naunton, it was printed in 1641 and again in 1642, a revised edition Fragmenta Regalia, or Observations on the late Queen Elizabeth, her Times and Favourites, being issued in 1653. It was again published in 1824, and an edition edited by Edward Arber was brought out in 1870. It has also been printed in several collections and has been translated into French and Italian. There are several manuscript copies extant, and some of Naunton's letters are in the British Museum and in other collections. A modern critical edition was prepared by J. S. Cerovski and published in 1985.
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Leigh John Bogans |
Member of Parliament for Helston 1606–1611 With: Sir John Leigh |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Killigrew Henry Bulstrode |
| Preceded by Sir Miles Sandys Sir Francis Bacon |
Member of Parliament for Cambridge University 1621–1625 With: Barnaby Gough 1621–1624 Sir Albert Morton 1625 |
Succeeded by Thomas Eden Sir John Coke |
| Preceded by Sir Edmund Bacon, 2nd Baronet Thomas Cornwallis |
Member of Parliament for Suffolk 1626 With: Sir Robert Crane |
Succeeded by Sir William Spring Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir John Coke |
Lord Privy Seal 1628 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Manchester |