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Lot Essay
GEORGE WELD
The son of Sir John Weld (1613-1681), who also sat as M.P. for Much Wenlock, George was educated at Shrewsbury School and Balliol College, Oxford. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 he received a commission in the garrison of the Tower of London which brought him an income of £1,000 per year. Samuel Pepys expressed surprise at the appointment commenting that he felt it difficult to see how such ‘a young, simple, fantastic coxcomb’ could act as Lieutenant of the Tower, a post Weld held until 1667. He stood as MP for Much Wenlock in seven elections from 1661 until his death in 1701.
He resided in Ireland from 1676 until he succeeded to his father’s estates in 1681. He was a notably active member of Parliament, serving on numerous committees, and frequently acting as a teller. He spoke on issues ranging from religion and taxation to naval administration and anti-Catholic legislation. Although often associated with the Court interest, he showed an independent streak, notably promoting a bill to abolish burning for heresy. After succeeding to the Willey estate in 1681, he returned to Parliament in 1685, opposed James II's religious policies, remained a Tory after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and sat continuously until his death in 1701.
The son of Sir John Weld (1613-1681), who also sat as M.P. for Much Wenlock, George was educated at Shrewsbury School and Balliol College, Oxford. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 he received a commission in the garrison of the Tower of London which brought him an income of £1,000 per year. Samuel Pepys expressed surprise at the appointment commenting that he felt it difficult to see how such ‘a young, simple, fantastic coxcomb’ could act as Lieutenant of the Tower, a post Weld held until 1667. He stood as MP for Much Wenlock in seven elections from 1661 until his death in 1701.
He resided in Ireland from 1676 until he succeeded to his father’s estates in 1681. He was a notably active member of Parliament, serving on numerous committees, and frequently acting as a teller. He spoke on issues ranging from religion and taxation to naval administration and anti-Catholic legislation. Although often associated with the Court interest, he showed an independent streak, notably promoting a bill to abolish burning for heresy. After succeeding to the Willey estate in 1681, he returned to Parliament in 1685, opposed James II's religious policies, remained a Tory after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and sat continuously until his death in 1701.