John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor
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John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor (1606–1685) succeeded his father, Richard Robartes, as Baron Robartes of Truro in May 1634.
The barony was purchased under compulsion for £10,000 in 1625. The family had amassed great wealth by trading in tin and wool, and in 1620 bought and began extending Lanhydrock House as the family seat. Lanhydrock House near Bodmin.
Educated at Exeter College, Oxford, John Robartes fought on the side of the Parliament during the Civil War, being present at the Battle of Edgehill and at the First Battle of Newbury, and was a member of the committee of both kingdoms. He is said to have persuaded the Earl of Essex to make his ill-fated march into Cornwall in 1644; he escaped with the earl from Lostwithiel and was afterwards governor of Plymouth. He, like many other Lords who had sided with Parliament, was marginalised by the Independents who saw no future in continuing negotiations with King Charles. The execution of the King would have appalled him.
Between the execution of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II he retired to Lanhydrock with his family and took practically no part in public life. After 1660 he became a prominent public man, owing his prominence partly to his influence among the Presbyterians, and ranged himself among Lord Clarendon’s enemies. He was Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1660–1661 and was Lord Lieutenant in 1669–1670; from 1661 to 1673 he was Lord Privy Seal although he did not exercise his office after his return from Ireland. He once again retired to Lanhydrock where he spent much time hunting deer and hare in his parks. In 1679 Charles II recalled him to public office to counteract the growing power of the faction opposed to the succession of Charles' brother, the Catholic James. He was Lord President of the Council until 1684. In 1679 he was created Viscount Bodmin and Earl of Radnor, and he died at Chelsea on 17 July 1685. He was buried in the family crypt in Lanhydrock Church with little ceremony as he had stipulated in his will.
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Pembroke |
Custos Rotulorum of Cornwall jointly with The Earl of Bath 1642–1654 1642–1685 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Bath |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Bath |
Lord Privy Seal 1661–1673 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Anglesey |
| Preceded by Earl of Ossory (Lord Deputy) |
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1669–1670 |
Succeeded by The Lord Berkeley of Stratton |
| Preceded by The Earl of Shaftesbury |
Lord President of the Council 1679–1684 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Rochester |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Richard Robartes |
Baron Robartes 1634–1685 |
Succeeded by Charles Bodville Robartes |
| Preceded by New Creation |
Earl of Radnor 1679–1685 |
|
