Sir Henricus Hardwick Cavendish | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Unknown_Tudor_man_-_possibly_Sir_Henry_Hardwick_Cavendish.jpg) Tudor Gentleman, attributed to Sir Henry Cavendish | |
| Member of Parliament for Derbyshire | |
| In office 1572–1596 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Wennersley |
| Succeeded by | John Harpur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1550 Derbyshire |
| Died | 12 October 1616 Chatsworth, Derbyshire |
| Parent(s) | William Cavendish, Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury |
Sir Henry Hardwick Cavendish (1550–1616) was the eldest son of the Tudor courtier Sir William Cavendish, and Lady Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury (c. 1527–1608), known as "Bess of Hardwick". A Knight of the Shire for Derbyshire, he offered military service to Queen Elizabeth in the Netherlands as a Captain in 1578; conducted several trade expeditions across Europe and into the Islamic Near East (Constantinople); served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire twice (1582 and 1608) and was elected as Member of Parliament for Derbyshire five times.
Though eldest son, Cavendish was disinherited by his mother after a complete breakdown in their relationship due to his friendship with Mary, Queen of Scots, and support for his niece, Arbella Stuart.
After his mother's death in 1608, Cavendish inherited Chatsworth from his father's estate, though not its contents. He sold the house intact to his younger brother William, who later that year became the 1st Earl of Devonshire.
Sir Henry and his wife, Lady Grace Talbot Cavendish, daughter of the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, had no surviving children.
They are associated with and lived at Tutbury Castle, Chatsworth, and the Doveridge Estate.
Sir Henry was the father of over 8 illegitimate children. His eldest son, Henry Cavendish II (born 1576, of mother unknown) was acknowledged, educated, and married to Bridget Willoughby, daughter of Sir Percival and Lady Bridget Willoughby. Among their direct descendants are the Barons Cavendish of Dove; later the Barons Waterpark.