Henry Noel

Henry Noel (1642 – 20 September 1677) was an English politician during the reign of King Charles II. He was the second son of Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden, and his third wife, Hon. Hester Wotton. Noel was born in 1642 and was baptized on 23 October 1642 at Exton in Rutland.

In 1643, at approximately one year of age, he inherited Luffenham Hall in North Luffenham, Rutland, from his uncle Henry Noel, who died a prisoner of the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Regarding his education, Noel was admitted as a fellow-commoner of Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1660. Around this period, he was considered a potential candidate for the proposed Knights of the Royal Oak at the Restoration; his estimated income at that time was £1,000 per year.

During his early adulthood, Noel engaged in local patronage activities, including donating a fire engine to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. His public service roles commenced in 1663 when he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Rutland and to the commission of assessment for Rutland. He further served on the commission for the enclosure of Deeping Fen in 1665 and was made a freeman of Portsmouth in 1668. In 1669, he was appointed a justice of the peace for Rutland.

In the political arena, a notable event occurred in 1676 when Hon. William Montagu, the member for Stamford, was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer, vacating his parliamentary seat, which led to a by-election. Noel contested this election against John Hatcher, a Presbyterian with his own local interests, and was supported by influential patrons including the Earl of Exeter. Supporters of the court party, notably Lord Campden and the Earl of Lindsey, financed extensive expenditures to sway voters. This approach dissuaded Hatcher, who elected to become High Sheriff of Lincolnshire to avoid the contest. The Earl of Exeter ultimately shifted his support to William Thursby, a new candidate, but the contest continued. Noel was ultimately returned as the winner for Stamford on 27 February 1677. Hatcher's petition against Noel's election was dismissed due to ineligibility.

Following his election, Noel was appointed to the commission of assessment for Lincolnshire but did not appear to serve on any committees in the Cavalier Parliament.

In his personal life, Noel married Elizabeth Wale on 14 May 1671. Elizabeth was the daughter and coheir of Sir William Wale, a prominent London Vintner and alderman, who died in 1676. Elizabeth Wale died on 11 January 1681. The couple had one daughter, Juliana Noel, who married Charles Boyle, 2nd Earl of Burlington.

Henry Noel died on 20 September 1677. He was survived by his daughter. The Luffenham estate was entailed by his family and passed to his half-brother, Hon. Baptist Noel.