Thomas Widdrington

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Sir Thomas Widdrington (d. May 13, 1664) was an English politician of the 17th century.

He and his brother Ralph were related to Baron William Widdrington. Having married a daughter of Ferdinando Fairfax, afterwards 2nd Lord Fairfax, Thomas Widdrington was knighted at York in 1639, and in 1640 he became member of parliament for Berwick. He was already a barrister, and his legal knowledge was very useful during the English Civil War. In 1651 he was chosen a member of the council of state, although he had declined to have any share in the trial of the king.

Widdrington was elected Speaker in September 1656, and in June 1658, he was appointed Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. In 1659 and again in 1660, he was a member of the Council of State, and on three occasions he was one of the Commissioners of the Great Seal, but he lost some of his offices when Charles II was restored. However, he remained in parliament until his death. He left four daughters, but no sons.

Widdrington, who founded a school at Stamfordham, Northumberland, wrote Analecta Eboracensia; some Remaynes of the city of York. This was not published until 1877, when it was edited with introduction and notes by the Rev. Caesar Caine.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition article "Widdrington, Barons", a publication now in the public domain.

Legal Offices
Preceded by Sir William Steele	Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer 1658–1660	Succeeded by Sir John Wilde