Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex

Sir Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex (1575 – 6 August 1645) was a successful London merchant, who was introduced to King James I of England by Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton, and entered the royal service in 1605. In 1613 he was knighted and was appointed surveyor-general of customs; in 1616 he became one of the masters of requests, and in 1619 master of the court of wards and liveries and chief commissioner of the navy. He was returned to parliament as member for Hythe in 1614 and for Arundel in 1621. Cranfield, who was also master of the wardrobe, was responsible for many economies in the public service, and his business acumen was very useful to the king. He took part in the attack on Francis Bacon in 1621, and although, contrary to general expectation, he did not succeed Bacon as lord chancellor, he was created Baron Cranfield in July of that year. In 1621 also he became lord high treasurer, and in September 1622 was created earl of Middlesex.

Related Topics:
1575 - 6 August - 1645 - London - James I of England - Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton - Hythe - Arundel - Francis Bacon - Lord chancellor - Lord high treasurer - Earl of Middlesex

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He lost his positions and influence shortly afterwards because he opposed the projected war with Spain, and had incurred the hostility of Prince Charles and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Impeached by the House of Commons for corruption, he was found guilty by the House of Lords in May 1624 and was sentenced to lose all his offices, to pay a heavy fine and to be imprisoned during the kings pleasure. However, he was released from prison in a few days, was pardoned in the following year, and was restored to his seat in the House of Lords in 1640. The earls second wife was Anne Brett (died 1670), a cousin of Buckingham's mother, whom he married somewhat reluctantly in 1621 in order to ensure Buckingham's support.

Related Topics:
War with Spain - Prince Charles - George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham - House of Commons - House of Lords

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Middlesex died on 6 August 1645, leaving with other issue a son James Cranfield, 2nd Earl of Middlesex (1621–1651), who was a partisan of the parliamentary party during the English Civil War. James was succeeded by his brother, Lionel, and when this earl died in October 1674 his titles became extinct. The first earl's daughter Frances married Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset, and their son Charles was created earl of Middlesex in 1675. Two years later he became earl of Dorset, and the title of earl of Middlesex was borne by the earls and dukes of Dorset until 1843.

Related Topics:
6 August - 1645 - James Cranfield, 2nd Earl of Middlesex - English Civil War - Lionel - Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset - Charles - Earl of Dorset

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