Henry Jermyn, 1st Earl of Saint Albans (1605 – January 1684) was an English politician, diplomat, courtier and property developer. Jermyn sat in the House of Commons of England at various times between 1625 and 1643 when he was raised to the English peerage as Baron Jermyn. Having formed an intimate friendship with Henrietta Maria of France in the 1630s, he constantly devised and promoted schemes to involve foreign powers in English political affairs, both before and after the execution of Charles I in 1649. A long-standing advocate of pro-French policies, he became one of the most influential courtiers of the Interregnum and reign of Charles II.
Early life
Jermyn was the fourth but second surviving son of Sir Thomas Jermyn (1572–1645) of Rushbrooke, Suffolk, Vice-Chamberlain to Charles I, and his wife Catherine, daughter of Sir William Killigrew of Hanworth, Middlesex (a sister of Sir Robert Killigrew). He was baptised at St Margaret's Lothbury, London on 25 March 1605.
In 1618 he undertook a tour of Europe for three years and in 1623 he became a member of the household of the Earl of Bristol in Madrid. While living in Spain he met the Duke of Buckingham and Jermyn "abounded in the expression of his joy for the honour and favours done him" by the duke.
Politician and courtier
In 1625, while still underage, Jermyn was elected Member of Parliament for Bodmin on the interest of his uncle Sir Robert Killigrew, and was re-elected MP for the seat in 1626. He made no contribution to parliamentary proceedings in either year. In around 1627, he came to the attention of Henrietta Maria, Queen consort of Charles I of England, and was appointed a gentleman usher in her private household. In July 1627 he was sent to France by the queen to convey her condolences to Louis XIII on the death of the duchess of Orléans. He became Henrietta Maria's vice-chamberlain in 1628 and the same year he was elected as the MP for Liverpool on the nomination of Humphrey May. During the parliamentary recess, Jermyn was seconded to Jersey to train the island's militia.
In 1632 Jermyn was again sent to Paris, this time to congratulate the queen's mother, Marie de' Medici, on surviving a coach accident. In 1633 he jeopardised his position when Eleanor Villiers, one of the queen's ladies in waiting, gave birth to his illegitimate child. Jermyn was sent abroad by Charles I, but was allowed to return and resume his role at court in August 1634. His favour with Henrietta Maria was undamaged and in 1639 his dominant position in her household was confirmed when he was appointed her Master of the Horse.
Civil War and exile
thumb|right|Henry Jermyn painted in circa 1640
In April 1640, Jermyn was elected MP for Corfe Castle in the Short Parliament together with his brother Thomas.