Biography of Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton 1596-1652

Paternal Family Tree: Hopton

1643 Battle of Lansdowne

1646 Battle of Torrington

On or before 13 Mar 1596 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton was born to Robert Hopton of Witham (age 21). He was baptised 13 Mar 1596 at St Peter's Church.

In 1620 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 23) and William Waller (age 23) were members of the personal bodyguard for Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 23).

In 1623 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 26) and Elizabeth Capell (age 31) were married.

In 1638 [his father] Robert Hopton of Witham (age 63) died.

In 1643 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 46) was created 1st Baron Hopton of Evercreech.

Battle of Lansdowne

On 05 Jul 1643 the Battle of Lansdowne was an inconclusive battle between a Royalist army commanded by Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 47) and a Parliamentary Army commanded by William Waller (age 46) at Lansdown Hill, Bath. The two commanders being old friends.

Edward Leke was killed.

Bevil Grenville (age 48) was killed at the at the head of the Cornish infantry as it reached the top of Lansdown Hill. He received a blow to the head with a pole-axe and was taken to the rectory at nearby Cold Ashton, Gloucestershire where he died.

In 1646 [his wife] Elizabeth Capell (age 54) died in the Channel Islands [Map] to where her husband had travelled with King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 15).

Battle of Torrington

On 16 Feb 1646 the Royalist Army commanded by Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 49) was defeated at Great Torrington, Devon bringing to an end Royalist resistance in the West Counntry. The battle was brought to an end when eighty barrels of gunpowder stored in St Michael and All Angels Church exploded killing the prisoners held there and nearly killing Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax (age 34).

On 12 Mar 1646 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 49) surrendered his Royalist Army to Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax (age 34).

After 12 Mar 1646 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 49) with Edward Hyde 1st Earl Clarendon (age 37) and King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 15) travelled to the Channel Islands [Map].

In 1647 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 50) moved to Rouen, France [Map] where he stayed with his uncle [his uncle] Arthur Hopton Diplomat (age 59).

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Jun 1649. I visited [his uncle] Sir Arthur Hopton (age 61) (brother [Note. Nephew?] to Sir Ralph, Lord Hopton (age 53), that noble hero), who having been Ambassador extraordinary in Spain, sojourned some time with my father-in-law (age 44) at Paris, a most excellent person. Also Signora Lucretia, a Greek lady, whom I knew in Italy, now come over with her husband, an English gentleman. Also, the Earl (age 44) and Countess of Arundel (age 18), taking leave of them and other friends now ready to depart for France. This night was a scuffle between some rebel soldiers and gentlemen about the Temple.

On 28 Sep 1652 Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton (age 56) died.

Royal Ancestors of Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton 1596-1652

Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn King Gwynedd King Powys

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis "Lion" VIII King France

Ancestors of Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton 1596-1652

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Hopton

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hopton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Arthur Hopton 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Owen Hopton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Owen Tudor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: David Owen 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ann Owen 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bohun 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Bohun 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandFather: Arthur Hopton of Witham Friary 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Echingham 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Echingham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joane Pigot

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Echingham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wingfield 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Wingfield 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzlewis

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Echingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Father: Robert Hopton of Witham 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Hall

GrandMother: Rachael Hall

Ralph Hopton 1st Baron Hopton 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England