Constituency Dates
Hampshire 1640 (Nov.), 1653, 1654, 1656, 1659
Portsmouth 1660
Hampshire 1660
Portsmouth 1661
Hampshire 1679 (Mar.)
Portsmouth 1679 (Oct.), 1681, 1689
Hampshire 1690 – May 1691
Family and Education
b. 19 Nov. 1615, 2nd but 1st surv. s. of Sir David Norton† of Southwick. educ. Brasenose, Oxf. 1631; G. Inn 1634. m. (1) 4 July 1636, Anne, da. of Sir Walter Erle of Charborough, Dorset, 1s. 1da.; (2) Elizabeth, da. of William Fiennes, 1st Visct. Saye and Sele, 3s. 2da. suc. fa. 1636.1 N. and Q. ser. 10, vii. 330–2; C142/534/101.
Offices Held

Col. of horse (parliamentary) 1642–6; gov. Southampton 1643–4, Portsmouth 1645–?9, by 1655–9, Aug. 1660–May 1661; col. 11 Ft. 1667; lt.-col. Duke of Bolton’s 1 Ft. Regt. 1689–d.2 CSP Dom. 1648–9, p. 241; 1649–50, pp. 178, 362; 1655, p. 391; 1658–9, pp. 355, 361; 1659–60, p. 548; 1660–1, pp. 213, 599; 1689–90, pp. 275, 278; N. and Q. 330–2.

Sheriff, Hants 1643–4; lt. Forest of Ayleshott and Woolmer 1655–9, July 1660–2.3 CSP Dom. 1659–60, p. 28; 1660–1, p. 138; 1661–2, p. 443.

Gov. corp. of white paper makers by 1690–d.4 HMC Lords, iii. 435–6.

Address
Main residence: Southwick, Hants.
biography text

Norton had been a colonel in the Parliamentarian army during the Civil War, but became a Court supporter after 1660, and in May 1689 entertained William III at Southwick Priory while the King was on his way to Portsmouth. Norton was on friendly terms with the leading Hampshire magnate, the Duke of Bolton (Charles Powlett†), whose two regiments were commanded by Norton and one of his younger sons. When the Earl of Shrewsbury asked Bolton for the colonelcy of one of his regiments for either Colonel Foulkes or Sir John Guise, 2nd Bt.*, Bolton refused, writing:

I beg his Majesty will not let me suffer in honour in not performing my word to the two Colonel Nortons, father and son . . . for I have engaged my honour to these gentlemen . . . that they [the regiments] should be commanded by none other but myself or my son, William. I am ready to quit my interest, but they having for some time received pay as colonels, would lay down their commissions with the rest of the officers, if I should do so.

Norton was returned for Hampshire at the 1690 election, at which time he was listed as a Whig by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†). He was not an active Member. In April 1691 he was noted as a Court supporter by Robert Harley*, but died the following month. By his will he left Southwick to his grandson, Richard Norton II*, and Arlesford, Hampshire, and Ixworth, Suffolk, to a son by his second marriage.5 Luttrell, Brief Relation, i. 533; ii. 238; CSP Dom. 1689–90, pp. 275, 278; SP 32/2/26, 28; Bodl. Carte 79, ff. 350–1; Luttrell Diary, 27; N. and Q. 332.

Author
P.W.
Volume
Commons 1690-1715
Notes
  • 1. N. and Q. ser. 10, vii. 330–2; C142/534/101.
  • 2. CSP Dom. 1648–9, p. 241; 1649–50, pp. 178, 362; 1655, p. 391; 1658–9, pp. 355, 361; 1659–60, p. 548; 1660–1, pp. 213, 599; 1689–90, pp. 275, 278; N. and Q. 330–2.
  • 3. CSP Dom. 1659–60, p. 28; 1660–1, p. 138; 1661–2, p. 443.
  • 4. HMC Lords, iii. 435–6.
  • 5. Luttrell, Brief Relation, i. 533; ii. 238; CSP Dom. 1689–90, pp. 275, 278; SP 32/2/26, 28; Bodl. Carte 79, ff. 350–1; Luttrell Diary, 27; N. and Q. 332.