Charles Compton

Sir Charles Compton (circa 1624 – November 1661) was a landowner from Northamptonshire and a military officer during the First English Civil War. He also served briefly as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Northampton after the Restoration period.

Family background

Charles Compton was the second son of Spencer Compton, the 2nd Earl of Northampton, and his wife Mary. The Compton family held estates at Castle Ashby. Charles's siblings included James Compton, the 3rd Earl of Northampton; William Compton; Spencer Compton; and Henry Compton, who became the Bishop of London. Historical accounts note that Charles and William may have been twins, with some sources dating their birth years as 1623 and 1625, respectively, while others assign 1623 and 1629—aligning with the birth years of other siblings.

Upon the death of their father in 1643, the seven younger children of the 2nd Earl divided approximately £30,000. Charles used his share to acquire land at Grendon.

Marriages and children

Charles Compton was married twice. His first marriage was to Mary, sister of Sir William Fermor, 1st Baronet of Easton Neston, Northamptonshire. With Mary, he had three sons and two daughters. His second marriage occurred around June 1661 to Felicia Pigott, daughter of Thomas Pigott of Chetwynd, Shropshire, who was a widow of William Wilmer. Felicia brought an estate at Sywell into the marriage. After Compton's death, Felicia married subsequently to MP John Beaumont.

His children from his first marriage included:

- Mary, who married James Lane, 2nd Viscount Lanesborough, in 1676; she died in 1733 without issue.

- Hatton Compton, the eldest son, who served as Lieutenant of the Tower of London from 1713 until 1741; he died in 1741.

- Anne, who married Sir Thomas Domvile, 1st Baronet, by 1686; she was buried in 1730.

Additional family details note that Felicia's son William, from her first marriage, was the father of William Wilmer, a Member of Parliament who lived circa 1692–1744.

Military and political career

During the First English Civil War, Charles Compton served as a lieutenant colonel in his brother, the 3rd Earl of Northampton's, regiment. Contemporary accounts, such as Arthur Collins, noted his reputation for sobriety and discipline, and described his active engagement in the field. Noteworthy battles he participated in included Hopton Heath, at which his father was killed; the Battle of Edgehill; and the siege of Banbury Castle.

Compton is credited with orchestrating a December 1643 plan that led to the capture of Beeston Castle, although some sources attribute this to Captain Thomas Sandford. Alongside his brother William, Charles was knighted at Oxford on 12 December 1643. In January 1645, he and William led an assault on Compton Wynyates, the family seat, attempting to recapture it from William Purefoy; the attempt resulted in partial success before withdrawal.

Later, on 26 February 1645, Compton led 300 cavalry to victory over a force of 400 Parliamentary soldiers near Daventry. Despite suspicions of royalist sympathies during the Interregnum, he paid a fine of £127 in 1648 to the Committee for Compounding with Delinquents and lived discreetly. In 1659, he was involved in a conspiracy led by John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt, aimed at raising a royalist insurrection. He and Lord Bruce were blamed for its failure.

Following the Restoration of the monarchy, Compton received a commission in the Royal Horse Guards. He served as a justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant for Northamptonshire. He was elected as an MP for Northampton in a by-election in November 1661 but died before taking his seat due to a fall from his horse. In recognition of his loyalty to the monarchy, his son Hatton was recommended for a knighthood of the Royal Oak.

Portraits and likenesses

A portrait of Compton is displayed in the dining room at Compton Wynyates, alongside those of his father and brothers. An engraving of this portrait was published in Henry Drummond's 1846 "Histories of Noble British Families." A miniature portrait dated circa 1645–1650, attributed to Samuel Cooper, exists in a private collection in Scotland. A portrait by Peter Lely once thought to depict Sir Charles Compton at Ham House has been re-identified as John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes. In the same room, Lely's portrait of Sir William Compton, believed to be Charles’s twin, hangs; a copy of this portrait is held by the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Styles and titles

Until December 12, 1643, Charles was styled as "The Honourable Charles Compton." Following his knighthood on that date, he was known as "Sir Charles Compton."

References

[The original sources and references are typically listed here, but as per instructions, no citations are included in this summary.]