George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon
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George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon KG (1547 – 9 September 1603) was the eldest son of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon and Anne Morgan. His father was first cousin to Elizabeth I of England. In 1560, at the age of 13, George matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge.[1] In 1566 he accompanied the Earl of Bedford on an official mission to Scotland, to attend the baptism of the future King James VI.
Military and political career
During the Northern Rebellion of 1569, George was knighted in the field by the Earl of Sussex for bravery. George had challenged Lord Fleming, the commander of Dunbar Castle, to single combat.
George served as a member of Parliament in the Commons for several terms (for Hertfordshire in 1571, for Hampshire in 1584, 1586, 1588–1589, 1592).
George was sent to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight and later assumed command of the Isle's defenses during the Spanish Armada threat.
In July 1596, when his father died, George became the second Baron Hunsdon, and the following year he was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household, a position which had been held by his father.
Theatre
Both Henry and George Carey were patrons of the professional theatre company in London known as "the Lord Chamberlain's Men". Talents such as William Shakespeare and Richard Burbage were among the writers and performers of the company. In 1597 George was invested as a Knight of the Garter, and it is generally agreed that the first performance of William Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor was held to commemorate the occasion.[2]
Family
George married Elizabeth Spencer (related to poet/author Edmund Spenser), who like her husband was a patron of the arts. They had one daughter, Elizabeth.
Death
He died on 9 September 1603 (from venereal disease and mercury poisoning), and his brother John (the next eldest) became the third Lord Hunsdon.
References
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Custos Rotulorum of Hampshire 1590–1603 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Southampton |
| Preceded by | Captain of the Gentlemen Pensioners 1596–1603 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Northumberland |
| Preceded by | Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire jointly with The Marquess of Winchester 1597–1598 The Earl of Devonshire 1597–1603 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Devonshire |
| Preceded by | Lord Chamberlain 1597–1603 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Suffolk |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by | Baron Hunsdon 1596–1603 |
Succeeded by John Carey |
