British Navy Admiral. He had a long and distinguished career in the British Royal Navy, during which he earned the title "foul-weather Jack" and for which he was knighted in 1705. In 1715 he served in the Baltic Sea on a mission to protect English merchandise and to make a demonstration of British naval power in that region. While there he was offered the command of the Russian navy by the Tsar, but declined the post and instead prevented a Swedish backed invasion of Scotland by the Jacobites. Following negotiations between England and Sweden he was commissioned to prevent a Russian naval attack against Sweden and led several expeditions with this aim, the last taking place in 1727. In 1734 he was appointed Admiral of the Fleet and Commander-in-Chief and in 1736 was named Vice Admiral of Great Britain. In 1744 he was put in total command of the home defence of Britain against an expected French invasion, but retired from the navy when storms dispersed the invasion fleet. He also enjoyed a lengthy political career, serving as Member of Parliament for Rye between 1708 and 1722, Portsmouth between 1722 and 1734 and Rye again from 1734 until his death. In 1739 he became one of the founders of the London Foundling Hospital, a charity for abandoned children.
British Navy Admiral. He had a long and distinguished career in the British Royal Navy, during which he earned the title "foul-weather Jack" and for which he was knighted in 1705. In 1715 he served in the Baltic Sea on a mission to protect English merchandise and to make a demonstration of British naval power in that region. While there he was offered the command of the Russian navy by the Tsar, but declined the post and instead prevented a Swedish backed invasion of Scotland by the Jacobites. Following negotiations between England and Sweden he was commissioned to prevent a Russian naval attack against Sweden and led several expeditions with this aim, the last taking place in 1727. In 1734 he was appointed Admiral of the Fleet and Commander-in-Chief and in 1736 was named Vice Admiral of Great Britain. In 1744 he was put in total command of the home defence of Britain against an expected French invasion, but retired from the navy when storms dispersed the invasion fleet. He also enjoyed a lengthy political career, serving as Member of Parliament for Rye between 1708 and 1722, Portsmouth between 1722 and 1734 and Rye again from 1734 until his death. In 1739 he became one of the founders of the London Foundling Hospital, a charity for abandoned children.
Bio by: js
Inscription
Anno Domini 1750
Near this place are deposited the Remains of
the Rt Hon'ble Sir John Norris of Hempstead
who after fifty years faithful service in
the Royal-Navy, attained the supreme Command,
with the rank of Admiral of the Fleet &
Vice Admiral of England
It is but bare justice to his memory to say,
since so much as least may be said
with the strictest truth,
that there never breathed a better Seaman,
a greater Officer, a braver Man,
a more zealous Wellwisher
to the present Establishment,
nor consequently a truer Englishman
than this Sir John Norris
Arms:
Quarterly, argent and gules, a fret or; impaling Arg. a cross sa. between four Cornish choughs ppr.
Crest:
a Cornish chough rising ppr
Family Members
Children
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