20. | Gervase Clifton was born in 1587 (son of George Clifton and Winifred Thorold); died on 28 Jun 1666. Notes:
of Clifton Hall, 1st Baronet
Born after the death of his 20-year-old father, he became heir of his grandfather, Sir Gervase Clifton, who was known as 'Gervase the Gentle'. When his grandfather died in 1588, young Gervase was only four months and eleven days old. Shortly afterwards, his mother married again and, as Mrs. Henry Kervill, had other children. It appears that it was his maternal grandmother, Lady Anne Thorold, who took charge of him as on a stone in the local church, dated 1611, she is referred to her as 'the most loving and careful grandmother of Sir Gervase Clifton, Kt. and Bart., who laid the same, for her piety and exemplary virtues worthy to be had in perpetual remembrance.'
On 25 July 1603, aged sixteen, he was made a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of King James I. He was included when, on 22 May 1611, the institution of Baronets was created. In 1610 and 1611 he was Sheriff of Nottingham and served in nine parliaments, being M.P. for Nottinghamshire, 1614-1625; for Nottingham, 1626; then again for Nottinghamshire, 1628-1629; then for Retford from 1640 until he was disabled in 1644, and again for Nottinghamshire from 1661 till 1666. He was distinguished for his loyalty, having to pay as much as £7,625 to the sequestrators of estates of delinquents.
He was described by Thoroton as: 'This Sir Gervase was certainly more gentle than his grandfather; being generally the most noted person of his time for courtesy, he was very prosperous and beloved of all. He generously, hospitably and charitably entertained all from King Charles himself (of whom he was an active supporter) to the poorest beggar. He served eight times in several Parliaments. He was an extraordinary kind landlord, and good master. His hospitality exceeded very many of the Nobility, and by his continuance in it, most men, being almost four-score years lord of this place, of a sound body, and a cheerful facetious spirit.'
In 1634 King Charles I wrote to Sir Gervase, asking him to use his influence with Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Willoughby and a great heiress, whom he desired should marry Sir John Suckling, the poet. However, this suitor was not favoured as Suckling had been described in the following terms: 'He was the greatest gallant of his time, the greatest gamester both for bowling and cards, so that no shopkeeper would trust him with sixpence.'
Determined to thwart the scheme, Anne Willoughby appealed to another suitor, Sir John Digby, a powerful man and an expert swordsman. The rivals met in London and the unhappy Suckling was 'cudgelled into a handful'. Suckling died in 1642, unmarried and 'man of broken fortunes'.
Sir Gervase Clifton married no less than seven times but had children with only his first, second and sixth wives. Thoroton also described his death: 'His last part was miracle enough to convert an Atheist, to see his Christianity so far prevail over his nature that, without the least shadow of fear, he left the choicest things of this world with as great pleasure as others enjoy them. He received from me the certain notice of his approaching death as he was wont to do an invitation of his good friends to his own Bowling Green (one of the most pleasant imaginable) and thereupon immediately called for his old chaplain, Mr. Robert Thirlby, to do the office of his confessor, and, when he had done with him, for his children.'
On 28 June 1666, aged eighty, he died and was buried with great solemnity on 2 August 1666. His last wife died a few months later and was buried on 29 March 1667.
Gervase married Frances Clifford about 1614. Frances (daughter of Earl Francis Clifford and Grisold Hughes) was born about 1594; died on 22 Oct 1627; was buried on 23 Oct 1627 in Clifton Church. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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