Thomas Gage, 1st Viscount Gage

[1] Gage was elected Member of Parliament for Minehead at a by-election on 11 April 1717, but was unseated on petition on 23 May 1717.

In 1719 he was one of the original backers of the Royal Academy of Music, establishing a London opera company which commissioned numerous works from Handel and others.

The main line of the family, up to the 7th Baronet, had been Roman Catholic recusants who had purchased their baronetcy from King James I, and Gage quietly resumed practising Roman Catholicism, although his children were raised in the Church of England.

In 1747 was appointed Steward of the Household of Frederick, Prince of Wales and held the post until 1751.

[2] Under a marriage settlement dated 3 October 1713, he married Benedicta Maria Theresa Hall, daughter and heiress of Henry Benedict Hall of High Meadow, Gloucestershire and his wife Frances Fortescue.

[2] Through his marriage to Benedicta, Thomas acquired wealthy estates in Gloucestershire in 1714 including High Meadow house, which became his principal residence, and the sinecure of Verderer of the Forest of Dean.

Jane died without issue,[2][12] shortly after Thomas, on 8 October 1757 in Dover St, Piccadilly, London.

Gage also spent considerable time collecting paintings which are still housed in the Long Gallery of Firle Place today.

Gage and his son were defeated at the 1754 general election, having decided not to respond to the threats of his voters only to vote for candidates who promised to give £1,500 towards mending the roads.