Ratcliffe, Robert, 5th Earl of Sussex (1573 -1629)

Robert Ratcliffe was born 12 June 1573, the only son and heir of Henry Ratcliffe, 4th Earl of Sussex, and Honora, daughter of Anthony Pound. He was styled Lord FitzWalter during his father’s lifetime, succeeding his father in 1593. He travelled as ambassador to Scotland to witness the christening of Prince Henry. He commanded a regiment of infantry in the Cadiz expedition in 1596, and was knighted there on the field of battle by the Earl of Essex. He twice acted as Earl Marshal, October to December 1597, and October to December 1601. He was created a Knight of the Garter in 1599, and in the same year was made Colonel General of foot. He carried the orb at the coronation of Charles I in 1626. He was twice married, firstly, in or before 1592, to Bridget, eldest daughter of Sir Charles Morrison; and secondly, in December 1623, to Frances, daughter of Hercules Meutas, and widow of Edward Shute. She died 18 November 1627. He died two years later on 22 September 1629. All his children by his first wife died, without issue, during his lifetime, and as he had no issue by his second, he was succeeded by his cousin Edward.