Thomas Belasyse PC (abt. 1627 - 1700)

Ancestors

Husband of Mildred (Saunderson) Belasyse — married 3 Jul 1651 (to 8 May 1656) in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England

Husband of Mary (Cromwell) Belasyse — married 18 Nov 1657 (to 31 Dec 1700) in Hampton Court

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Thomas Belasyse was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Biography

Thomas was born about 1627, the only son of Henry Belasyse and his wife, Grace Barton. Unlike his father and grandfather Thomas supported Parliament during the Civil War. He married Mildred, daughter of Nicholas Saunderson, Viscount Castleton on 3 Jul 1651. No children were born to this marriage. His father had died in 1647 and in 1652 Thomas inherited the Viscountcy of Fauconberg from his grandfather, Thomas Belasyse. Mildred died on 8 May 1656.

On 18 November 1857 Thomas married Mary, daughter of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and his wife, Elizabeth Bourchier. No children were born of this marriage either. Cromwell died on 3 September 1658 and the chaos which followed led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 in the person of Charles II. Having been Cromwell's son-in-law does not seem to have damaged Thomas in the eyes of the new regime for he was appointed a Privy Councilor and served as ambassador to Venice. His change of heart didn't last and he joined with other old republicans in their determination that James II should not be King becoming a member of the Green Ribbon club and also one of those who invited William of Orange to take the throne. The new King created him Earl Fauconberg on 9 April 1689.

Thomas died childless on 31 December 1700 and the Earldom became extinct but his viscountcy passed to his nephew, Thomas.

Sources

• Wikipedia Wikipedia Biography

• Clay, J. W.: Extinct Northern Peerages, page 9, VI.

Acknowledgements

• Entered by Wombat Allen Mar 2, 2012