Sir Richard Musgrave, 1st Baronet Musgrave of Eden Hall

Richard Musgrave was born c.1585 in England, and died November 6, 1615 in Naples, Italy. He was the son of Christopher Musgrave and his wife Joan Curwen, daughter of Sir Henry Curwen of Workington, Cumberland. He succeeded to the estates of Hartley and Edenhall, Cumberland on the death of his grandfather SIr Simon Musgrave.

He married Frances, daughter of Philip, Lord Wharton, when he was only 14. He had two children, Mary and Philip.

This family came into England with the Conqueror, and settled at Musgrave, in Westmorland. The first known use of the surname was Peter Musgrave, who lived about the time of King Stephen. Sir Richard was 18th in descent from this Peter Musgrave. Beyond Peter, the family can be traced back to Gamel de Musgrave, born c.1030.

Richard was made Knight of the Bath at the at the coronation of James I. He was created 1st Baronet Musgrave of Edenhall on June 29, 1611. He sat in the House of Commons from 1604 to 1611.

When Sir Richard was about age 30, in 1614, he decided to tour Europe. The true reason for this tour is not known, but might have been to escape debtors, or to be free of certain companions who had lost favor, or simply, because he had been melancholy and wanted a change. He fell ill in France and traveled south to Naples, Italy, thinking the warmer climate would be beneficial. He died in Naples c.1615. His close friend and traveling companion, Lord Cavendish, arranged for Sir Richard to be buried "at the best church in Naples," which happened to be a Catholic cathedral. His burial at a Catholic church has led to centuries of conjecture that Sir Richard went to Europe to convert to that faith. No proof other than his burial exists to support that theory.

Children of Sir Richard Musgrave, Baronet, and wife Frances Wharton:

• Mary Musgrave, c.1604-c.1624, died unmarried and was buried at Christ Church, Canterbury, England.
• Sir Philip Musgrave, 1607-1678, succeeded to his father's title at age 7. Married Julian Hutton in 1625, seven children.

Links to additional material:

• http://www.leighrayment.com/baronetage/baronetsM4.htm
• http://openlibrary.org/books/OL22885352M/The_life_of_Sir_Philip_Mus...
• http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7064608M/The_baronetage_of_England_c...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Richard_Musgrave,_1st_Baronet

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He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Bath (K.B.) in 1603.1 He was created 1st Baronet Musgrave [England] on 29 June 1611.1