Sir Henry Hobart, 4th Baronet (d. 21 August 1698)[1] was an English Whig politician and baronet.
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He was the oldest son of Sir John Hobart, 3rd Baronet and his first wife Mary Hampden, daughter of John Hampden.[2] Hobart was knighted in Blickling by King Charles II of England in 1671 and succeeded his father as baronet in 1683.[3]
Hobart entered the English House of Commons for King's Lynn in 1681, sitting for it until 1685.[4] He represented Thetford from January to February 1689[5] and subsequently Norfolk until 1690.[6] Hobart was Gentleman of the Horse to King William III of England and fought under him in the Battle of the Boyne[7] and a year later, he was appointed Vice-Admiral of Norfolk.[8] In 1694, he was elected for Bere Alston, a seat he held until the following year,[9] when he was returned again for Norfolk until his death in 1698.[6]
On 9 July 1684, he married Elizabeth Maynard, eldest daughter of Sir Joseph Maynard, and had by her a son and three daughters.[2]
Hobart was killed in a duel with Oliver Le Neve in Cawston Heath 20 August 1698 and was buried at Thetford.[7] This was the last duel in Norfolk. His opponent was found guilty of manslaughter. Le Neve fled to Holland, but was later pardoned.[7] Hobart was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son John, later raised to the peerage as Earl of Buckinghamshire.[10] Oliver Le Neve was a lawyer from Great Witchingham was known as a great sportsman and a great drinker. He fought left-handed and was soon wounded in the arm by Sir Henry who had a reputation as a swordsman. However, Le Neve then struck back and injured his opponent so badly that he died next day at Blickling. As there appear to have been no seconds or witnesses, the duel was illegal. Le Neve fled to Holland but returned to England two years later, having received a pardon. It is said locally that details of the duel came from a girl who was hiding in the bushes, and tales are still told of this unfortunate event which is commemorated by the Duel Stone which stands in a small National Trust plot near the Woodrow Garage, Norwich Road, Cawston.
His eldest daughter Henrietta was a mistress of King George II of Great Britain.[11] The second daughter Catherine married George Churchill, son of Admiral George Churchill.[7]
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Turner Sir Simon Taylor |
Member of Parliament for King's Lynn 1681 – 1685 With: Sir Simon Taylor |
Succeeded by Sir John Turner Sir Simon Taylor |
| Preceded by William de Grey Henry Heveningham |
Member of Parliament for Thetford Jan – Feb 1689 With: William Harbord |
Succeeded by William Harbord Sir Francis Guybon |
| Preceded by Sir Thomas Hare Sir Jacob Astley |
Member of Parliament for Norfolk 1689 – 1690 With: Sir William Cook |
Succeeded by Sir Jacob Astley Sir William Cook |
| Preceded by John Smith John Swinfen |
Member of Parliament for Bere Alston 1694 – 1695 With: John Smith 1694–1695 John Elwill 1695 |
Succeeded by John Elwill Sir Rowland Gwynne |
| Preceded by Sir Jacob Astley Sir William Cook |
Member of Parliament for Norfolk 1695 – 1698 With: Sir Jacob Astley |
Succeeded by Sir Jacob Astley Sir William Cook |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Vacant
Title last held by
The Earl of Yarmouth |
Vice-Admiral of Norfolk 1691 – 1698 |
Succeeded by Lord Paston |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by John Hobart |
Baronet (of Intwood) 1683 – 1698 |
Succeeded by John Hobart |