Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland

The Right Honourable Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland (c. October 1620–September 20 1643) was an English peer who fought and died in the English civil war on the side of the Cavaliers.

Related Topics:
The Right Honourable - October - 1620 - September 20 - 1643 - English peer - English civil war - Cavaliers

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Henry was born at Althorp to William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer and was baptised on 23 November 1620 at Great Brington church. He attended Magdalen College, Oxford and graduated from there with a Master of Arts degree on August 31 1636. He then succeeded to his father's title of Baron Spencer later that year on December 19 1636.

Related Topics:
Althorp - William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer - 23 November - 1620 - Great Brington - Magdalen College, Oxford - Master of Arts - August 31 - 1636 - December 19

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On July 20 1639, he married Lady Dorothy Sydney (who had previously rejected Edmund Waller's hand in marriage), daughter of Robert Sydney, 2nd Earl of Leicester at Penshurst Place. He and his wife had three children:

Related Topics:
July 20 - 1639 - Edmund Waller - Robert Sydney, 2nd Earl of Leicester - Penshurst Place

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• Lady Dorothy Spencer (1640–1670), married George Saville, 1st Marquess of Halifax and had issue.
• Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641–1702)
• Lady Penelope Spencer (c. 1644–1645), died in infancy.

Henry fought in the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 and was rewarded for his services on June 8 1643 by being created 1st Earl of Sunderland (although the title cost him £3000). He then fought in the Siege of Gloucester in August 1643 and the First Battle of Newbury on September 20 of that year (where he was killed, aged 23, from a cannon ball).

Related Topics:
Battle of Edgehill - 1642 - June 8 - 1643 - Siege of Gloucester - August - First Battle of Newbury - September 20

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