Biography of Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet 1584-1659

Paternal Family Tree: Tufton

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Merbury

Before 10th December 1575 [his father] John Tufton 1st Baronet (age 31) and Olympia Blore were married.

On 10th December 1575 [his father] John Tufton 1st Baronet (age 31) and [his mother] Christian Browne (age 21) were married.

In 1584 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet was born to [his father] John Tufton 1st Baronet (age 40) and [his mother] Christian Browne (age 30).

In or after 1589 [his mother] Christian Browne (deceased) died.

Before 3rd September 1602 [his brother] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet (age 24) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 60) and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (age 54). They were fourth cousin once removed.

In or before 1607 [his brother-in-law] Edward Hungerford and [his half-sister] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married.

After 26th October 1608 [his brother-in-law] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 30) and [his half-sister] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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On 26th June 1612 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland (age 35) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His brother [his brother-in-law] Francis (age 34) succeeded 6th Earl of Rutland. [his half-sister] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Countess of Rutland.

In or before 1618 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 33) and Margaret Morley Lady Tufton (age 31) were married.

On 27th June 1618 William Cecil 16th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 28) died. His first cousin once removed [his brother-in-law] Francis (age 40) succeeded 17th Baron Ros Helmsley. [his half-sister] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.

Letters of the Court of James I 1618. [31st October 1618]. On Wednesday, Sir Humphrey Tufton (age 34) was censured in the Star Chamber, for bastinadoing Christopher Nevil (age 34), the Lord of Abergavenny's (age 68) son, in a jealous humour that he made love to his [his wife] wife (age 32), whom he caused to write him a letter, and so drew him into the trap. His whole fine, for himself and his men, one way and other, comes to almost £7000. Besides, he is to make some submission in that court, and some satisfaction to Nevil, as the earl marshal shall award. His two men are to stand in the pillory, and to be whipt. Mr. Nevil is to have £1000 of this fine for his costs.

Around 1623 [his son] John Tufton 2nd Baronet was born to Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 39) and [his wife] Margaret Morley Lady Tufton (age 37).

In 1624 [his daughter] Olympia Tufton Lady Ashby was born to Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 40) and [his wife] Margaret Morley Lady Tufton (age 38). She married in or before 1652 her sixth cousin William Wray 1st Baronet and had issue.

On 2nd April 1624 [his father] John Tufton 1st Baronet (age 80) died. His son [his brother] Nicholas (age 46) succeeded 2nd Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. [his sister-in-law] Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet (age 43) by marriage Lady Tufton of Hothfield.

On 1st November 1626 [his brother] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet (age 48) was created 1st Baron Tufton. [his sister-in-law] Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet (age 45) by marriage Baroness Tufton.

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

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On 5th August 1628 [his brother] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet (age 50) was created 1st Earl of Thanet. [his sister-in-law] Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet (age 47) by marriage Countess of Thanet.

On 1st July 1631 [his brother] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet (age 53) died at Sapcote, Leicestershire [Map]. His son [his nephew] John (age 22) succeeded 2nd Earl of Thanet, 2nd Baron Tufton, 3rd Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. Margaret Sackville Countess Isle Thanet (age 16) by marriage Countess of Thanet.

Long Parliament

In November 1640 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 56) was elected MP Maidstone during the Long Parliament.

On 24th December 1641 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 57) was created 1st Baronet Tufton of The Mote in Kent. [his wife] Margaret Morley Lady Tufton (age 55) by marriage Lady Tufton of The Mote in Kent.

In or before 1652 [his son-in-law] William Wray 1st Baronet (age 26) and [his daughter] Olympia Tufton Lady Ashby (age 27) were married. They had 3 sons and 5 daughters. They were sixth cousins.

In 1653 [his half-sister] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland died.

In 1654 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 70) was appointed High Sheriff of Kent.

In October 1659 Humfrey Tufton 1st Baronet (age 75) died at Bobbing Court, Kent. His son John (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baronet Tufton of The Mote in Kent.

Around 1667 [his former wife] Margaret Morley Lady Tufton (age 81) died.