John Chidley

John Chidley (died 1589) was an English nobleman and privateer after whom Cape Chidley and the Cape Chidley Islands in Canada are named.

Biography

His family was a family of ancient nobility in Devon whose first major member about whom much is known was James de Chudleigh (d. ~1401). The family had long been involved with local government having held the office of Sheriff of Devon 5 times and having produced several members of parliament. He was married to the daughter of George Speke (died 1584).[1] The family had their caput manor at Manor of Ashton.

Career

At the age of 19 he sailed with Humphrey Gilbert on his last voyage.[1] He was brought into close contact with Sir Walter Raleigh and was also a friend of John Davis (explorer), some of the most famous English explorers of the time who also belonged to the Devon nobility.[1] In 1586 he was a knight of the shire for Devon with Walter Raleigh as his partner.[1] In August 1, 1587 his friend John Davis (explorer) named Cape Chidley after him in Canada.[2]

In 1589 inspired by the success of Thomas Cavendish in raiding Chile and Peru he sold some of his estates and equipped a group of five ships with Raleigh's support at court. He died on this voyage from disease but left issue.

Children

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Chudleigh, Sir John (c.1584-?1634), of Stretchleigh/Strashleigh, Ermington, Devon". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  2. ^ Davis, John (2010-08-31). Markham, Albert Hastings (ed.). Voyages and Works of John Davis, the Navigator. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511697609. hdl:2027/ien.35556025358821. ISBN 9781108011501.