John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (c. 1648 – 29 August 1700), known as Lord Burghley until 1678, was a British peer and Member of Parliament. He was also known as the Travelling Earl.

Life

Exeter was the son of John Cecil, Earl of Exeter (1628–1678), and Frances Manners. He was educated at

Stamford School Stamford School is a co-educational independent school (UK), independent school in Stamford, Lincolnshire in the English Public School (United Kingdom), public school tradition. Founded in 1532, it has been a member of the Headmasters' and Hea ...

and St John's College,

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...

. He was elected to the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the Bicameralism, bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of ...

for

Northamptonshire Northamptonshire ( ; abbreviated Northants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It is bordered by Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshi ...

in 1675, a seat he held until 1678 when he succeeded his father in the earldom and entered the

House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the lower house, the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. One of the oldest ext ...

. Exeter was a notable Grand Tourist and filled his family home,

Burghley House Burghley House () is a grand sixteenth-century English country house near Stamford, Lincolnshire. It is a leading example of the Elizabethan prodigy house, built and still lived in by the senior (Exeter) branch of the Cecil family and is Grade ...

, with treasures purchased on his travels in 1679, 1681 and 1699 in Italy. He purchased 300 works of art during his 22 years in Burghley and spent on his last visit to Europe £5,000 (c. £535,000 in 2017 currency). Exeter married

Anne Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female name Anna (name), Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah (given name), Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie (given name), Annie a ...

, daughter of William Cavendish, Earl of Devonshire, around 1670, they had nine children. He died in August 1700 and was succeeded in his titles by his son

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

. Eight of these children were: *

John Cecil, 6th Earl of Exeter John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second Ep ...

(15 May 1674 – 24 December 1721), known as Lord Burghley from 1678 to 1700. Member of Parliament for Rutland 1695 – 29 August 1700. *Hon. William Cecil (before 1682 – 6 May 1715), 2nd son He was a member of the Order of Little Bedlam aka Bedlam Club, a gentlemen's drinking club, founded in 1684 by John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter of Burghley House, and lapsing on his death in 1700. In 1705 it was reconvened by his son, John Cecil, 6th Earl of Exeter as grand master 'Lion', his brother William as 'Panther' and brother Charles as 'Bull'. Member of Parliament for Stamford 1698 – 1705. *Hon.

Charles Cecil Charles Cecil (born 11 August 1962) is a British video game designer and co-founder of Revolution Software. His family lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was still very young, but was evacuated two years after Mobutu Sese S ...

(c.1683 – 17 March 1726), 3rd son. A member of the Bedlam Club with his brothers. Member of Parliament for Stamford 1705 – 1722. * Hon. Edward Cecil, 4th son (d. 1723) *Lady Christian Cecil *Lady Ann Cecil *Lady Frances Cecil, died young *Lady Elizabeth Cecil (1687 – 12 June 1708), fourth daughter. Married

Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of Orrery Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of Orrery KT PC FRS (28 July 1674 – 28 August 1731) was an English nobleman, statesman and patron of the sciences. Early life The second son of Roger Boyle, 2nd Earl of Orrery, and his wife Lady Mary Sackvill ...

. 'By Elizabeth, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of John Cecil, Earl of Exeter, his lordship had only one son, John, fifth Earl of Orrery, his successor. This regretted lady died in the 21st year of her age.'

References

* Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). ''Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage'' (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990. *
www.thepeerage.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Exeter, John Cecil, 5th Earl of 1640s births 1700 deaths Barons Burghley

John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (c. 1648 – 29 August 1700), known as Lord Burghley until 1678, was a British Peerage, peer and Member of Parliament. He was also known as the Travelling Earl. Life Exeter was the son of John Cecil, 4th Earl of E ...

Earls of Exeter Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge People educated at Stamford School Burghley, John Cecil, Lord 17th-century English nobility