Arthur Annesley (I) was the eldest son
of Francis Annesley (I), and inherited
his titles in 1660. Arthur (I) had
probably the most successful career of
any member of the family. Even before
1660, he had entered a career in
politics, and in 1660 was made President
of the Council of State. From 1667 he
was treasurer if the navy, and in 1672,
he was Lord Privy Seal. In 1682,
however, he was dismissed for adverse
criticism of the king's government.
As with his father, Arthur (I)'s posts
were matched by more titles, as he was
made Earl of Anglesey in 1661. The
title, it seems was less to do with the
island of Anglesea (where the family
never held namy lands) than with its
closeness to the surname Annesley.
Arthur (I) began the Annesley family's
links with Bletchingdon, when he bought
the Manor House (but not the Manor
proper) in the 1660s (see E6/3/3D).
The papers in this section include
family settlements, papers relating to
loans taken out by Arthur (I), and
Arthur (I)'s will.