Background
Henry was born at Althorp to William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer and Lady Penelope Wriothesley, daughter of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, and was baptised on 23 November 1620 at Great Brington church.
Henry was born at Althorp to William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer and Lady Penelope Wriothesley, daughter of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, and was baptised on 23 November 1620 at Great Brington church.
He attended Magdalen College, Oxford and graduated from there with a Master of Arts degree on 31 August 1636.
He then succeeded to his father"s title of Baron Spencer later that year on 19 December 1636. Lady Dorothy Spencer (1640–1670), married George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax and had issue. Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641–1702)
Lady Penelope Spencer (c 1642–1667), died unmarried.
Henry fought in the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 and was rewarded for his services on 8 June 1643 by being created 1st Earl of Sunderland (although the title cost him £3000).
He then fought in the Siege of Gloucester in August 1643 and the First Battle of Newbury on 20 September 1643, where he was killed, aged 23, by a cannonball. Cokayne writes that "he was, according to Clarendon, a lord of a great fortune, tender years.. and an early judgment.
Who, having no command in the army, attended upon the King"s person under the obligation of honour. And putting himself that day into the King"s troop a volunteer, before they came to charge was taken away by a cannon bullet."".
