Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden

Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden (1611 – 29 October 1682), was an English political figure during the 17th century. His roles included serving as Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Custos Rotulorum of Rutland, and Member of Parliament for Rutland.

**Early Life**

He was born at Exton Hall in Rutland. His father was Edward Noel, 2nd Viscount Campden, and his mother was the Honorable Juliana Hicks. Baptist Noel had several siblings, including Honorable Henry Noel, who was married to Mary Perry; Honorable Elizabeth Noel, who married John Chaworth, 2nd Viscount Chaworth; and Honorable Mary Noel, who married Sir Erasmus de la Fontaine of Kirby Ballers. His paternal grandparents were Sir Andrew Noel and Mabel Harington, who was the sister of John Harington, 1st Baron Harington. His maternal grandparents included Baptist Hicks, 1st Viscount Campden, and Elizabeth May, the sister of Sir Humphrey May, Master of the Rolls. The May family was descended from Richard May, a merchant tailor of London.

**Career**

In 1640, Baptist Noel was elected as a Member of Parliament for Rutland alongside Sir Guy Palmes, representing the county after the parliamentary suspension that began in 1629. He participated in the Long Parliament. Upon his father's death in 1643, Noel inherited his titles and duties, which necessitated leaving the House of Commons. He held titles including Baron Noel of Ridlington and Baron Hicks of Ilmington. During the English Civil War, he served as a military commander and achieved the rank of brigadier-general. He remained a supporter of King Charles I, which led to his being fined £9,000 for delinquency. His residence, Campden House, was destroyed during this period.

**Personal Life**

Baptist Noel was married four times:

1. On 25 December 1632, he married Lady Anne Feilding, daughter of Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh, and William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh. They had three children, all of whom died young, before her death on 24 March 1636.

2. Circa June 1638, he married Anne Bourchier, Countess of Bath, widow of Edward Bourchier, 4th Earl of Bath. She was the daughter of Sir Robert Lovett of Liscombe. She died in 1639.

3. On 21 December 1639, he married Hester Wotton, daughter of Thomas Wotton, 2nd Baron Wotton. They had six children, including:

- Honorable Mary Noel (died 1719), who married James Compton, 3rd Earl of Northampton, as his second wife before 1664.

- Honorable Juliana Noel (1645–1667), who married William Alington, 3rd Baron Alington, in 1664.

- Honorable Elizabeth Noel (died 1719), who married Charles Berkeley, 2nd Earl of Berkeley, in 1677.

- Edward Noel, who became the 1st Earl of Gainsborough.

- Henry Noel.

4. His final marriage was on 6 July 1655 to Lady Elizabeth Bertie (1640–1683), daughter of Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey. They had nine children, including:

- Baptist Noel (1658–1690), who married Susannah Fanshawe in 1662.

- Honorable John Noel (died 1718), who married Elizabeth Ingram in 1696.

- Honorable Catherine Noel (1657–1723/4), who married John Manners, 1st Duke of Rutland.

- Honorable Martha Penelope Noel.

**Death and Succession**

Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden, died on 29 October 1682. He was buried in the church of St Peter and St Paul in Exton. His tomb, created by Grinling Gibbons in 1685, depicts him with his wife Elizabeth Bertie and carvings of his nineteen children. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Edward Noel, who became the 1st Earl of Gainsborough.