FITZWILLIAM, Hon. Charles (c.1646-89), of Stamford Baron, Lincs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

8 Jan. - Sept. 1689

Family and Education

b. c.1646, 3rd but 2nd surv. s. of William Fitzwilliam, 2nd Baron Fitzwilliam of Lifford [I], by Jane, da. and coh. of Hugh Perry alias Hunter, Mercer, of London, wid. of Robert Perry, merchant, of London; bro. of William Fitzwilliam, 3rd Baron Fitzwilliam. educ. Westminster; M. Temple, entered 1661; Magdalene, Camb. adm. 21 Jan. 1664, aged 17; Padua 1670; travelled abroad (Italy) 1670-6. unm.1

Offices Held

Maj. of ft. regt. of Lionel Walden I 1678-9, R. Fusiliers June-Nov. 1685, regt. of William, Lord Cavendish by Mar. 1689, lt.-col. May 1689-d.

J.p. Peterborough 1682-?85, Northants. 1689-d.; dep. lt. Lincs. Oct. 1688-d.; commr. for assessment, Lincs. and Northants. 1689.2

Biography

Although Fitzwilliam embarked on a military career, he seems to have been a dilettante by temperament. He matriculated at Padua in 1670, visited Rome in 1676, and accompanied the Earl of Exeter (John Cecil) on his artistic tour of the Continent in 1683. He was probably less inclined to opposition than his elder brother, whom he suceeded as Member for Peterborough on Exeter’s interest in 1685. A moderately active committeeman in James II’s Parliament, he was appointed to the committee of elections and privileges and those to recommend expunctions from the Journals and to consider the bills for the Bedford level and for bringing fresh water to Rochester and Chatham. He displeased the King by voting against the dispensations for Roman Catholic officers, and was deprived of his commission after the second session. Re-elected to the Convention, he left no trace on its records, being absent on military service from 16 Mar. 1689, first in England, then in Ireland, where he died in September of the same year. He left all his property to his nephew and niece, the children of Sir Christopher Wren, whom he made his executor.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: John. P. Ferris

Notes

  • 1. CSP Dom. 1685, p. 411; 1689-90, pp. 27, 146; SP44/165/293.
  • 2. Fenland N. and Q. vi. 215; Northants. RO, FH2226.
  • 3. Northants. RO, F(M)C 414; CSP Dom. 1683-4, p. 192; HMC Downshire, i. 79; Reresby Mems. 402-3; HMC Coke, ii. 335, 357; PCC 12 Dyke.