English politician
Sir Robert Southwell (1563–1598), of Woodrising, Norfolk, was an English politician.
Robert was the son of Sir Thomas Southwell and his second wife Mary, daughter of Sir Rice Mansel. Thomas's third wife was Nazaret or Nazareth Newton.
He was High Sheriff of Norfolk for 1589–90 and Vice-Admiral of Norfolk from 1585 to 1598. He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Guildford in 1597.
Robert was an admiral in 1588 in the battle with the Spanish Armada, in command of the "Elizabeth Jonas". His portrait was included in the Armada Tapestries.
In 1591 the Privy Council asked him, as Vice-Admiral, to adjudicate in the case of a Scottish ship belonging to an Edinburgh merchant Archibald Johnston wrecked on the coast of Norfolk.
He died on 12 October 1598 at Woodrising, and was buried on 16 November at Woodrising church. The chief mourner was his cousin Robert Mansell.
Family.
On 27 April 1583 he married Elizabeth Howard, eldest daughter of Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, and a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth. They had four sons and four daughters, including:
Robert's half-sister, the daughter of Nazaret Newton, Elizabeth Southwell, was a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth. She was a mistress of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and the mother of Walter Devereux. She married Sir Barentine Moleyns or Molyns of Clapcot.
References.
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