BHO
  1. Kent, History and Topographical Survey
  2. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 1
  3. General history: Members of Parliament

General history: Members of Parliament

Pages 234-249

The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 1. Originally published by W Bristow, Canterbury, 1797.

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In this section

Members of Parliament

THE origin of the House of Commons, at least in its present form, is a point that has been contested with great earnestness by several eminent writers; the first express writ that is found of any knights of counties, by name, summoned to our parliaments, as members, is that of the clause-roll of the 49th of king Henry III. anno 1264, requiring sheriffs to summon two knights out of every county to parliament, as also to the cities and boroughs the like number of citizens and burgesses, and to the barons of the five ports a certain number of their discreetest men. Before that time the constituent members of the great council of the nation were, archbishops, bishops, abbots, and priors, earls, barons, and all who held of the king in capite, as sir H. Spelman, sir W. Dugdale, and others of our best English antiquaries observe, which opinion is grounded on a clause in Magna Charta, as granted by king John to the people, in the 17th year of his reign, wherein that prince promises to summon all the above degrees and tenure, to meet at a certain place, within forty days notice, in order to hold a common council of the kingdom, to assess aids and scutages when necessary.

It is to be observed, that these writs, in the 49th year of Henry III.'s reign, to summon the knights, burgesses, and barons of the five ports, as above-mentioned, were issued when the barons had that prince in their power, after the battle of Lewes, and exercised royal authority in his name, and though there were several parliaments in king Edward I.'s time, before the 18th year of his reign, yet there is no testimony left upon record of any writs of summons till that year, in which, as may be seen by the bundle of writs then directed to the sheriffs, two or three knights were directed to be chosen for each county, but no citizen or burgesses till the 23d of that reign. In consequence of these writs some few counties returned three knights, but the generality two only, in which last number was the county of Kent.

A LIST OF THE KNIGHTS RETURNED FOR THE COUNTY OF KENT,

FROM THE 18th YEAR OF KING EDWARD I. ANNO 1289, TO THE PRESENT TIME.

IN THE TIME OF KING EDWARD I.

Years of the Reign, &c. Names of the Knights in Parliament.
18th. Parliament at Westminster HENRY de Apuldrefield,
Robert de Septvans.
23d. Parliament at Westminster Stephen Chute,
Walter de Ripple.
25th. At London. Luke de la Gare,
Richard de Scoland.
26th. At York Richard de Scoland,
John de Gosehall.
28th. At London Waretius de Valoigns,
Richard de Scoland.
28th. At Lincoln The same.
29th. — Waretius de Valoigns,
Henry de Apuldrefeld.
33d. At Westminster Henry de Apuldrefeld,
Richard de Rokesle.
34th. Council at Westminster Waretius de Valoigns,
Richard de Rokesle.
35th. Parliament at Carlisle Bartholomew de Badlesmere,
Fulke Peyforer.

IN THE TIME OF KING EDWARD II.

2d. At Westminster. Waretius de Valoigns,
William de Grey.
4th. — Henry de Cobham,
Thomas de Sandwich.
5th. — Henry de Cobham,
Stephen de Greyes.
5th. At London Henry de Cobham of Roundal.
Thomas de Sandwich.
6th. At Westminster. Fulk Peyforer.
Thomas de Sandwich.
6th. — John de Feld,
John de Cobham.
7th. — William de Grey,
Stephen de Ulcombe.
8th. Parliament at York John Malmayns of Waldwareshare.
William de Basings.
8th. — Henry Cobham,
John Malmayns.
10th. Council at Lincoln Henry de Elsham,
Ralph Savage.
12th. Parliament at York John Malmayns de Waldwareshare.
John Savage.
12th. — John Savage.
Walter de Thornton.
15th. — John Savage,
Thomas de Sandwich.
17th. At Westminster Roger de Hegham,
William de Grey.
19th. — William de Dene.
William de Grey,
20th. — John de Segrave, knight,
John de Cobham.

IN THE TIME OF KING EDWARD III.

1st. At Lincoln John de Bournne,
Nicholas Malmayns.
1st. At Westminster. Robert de Stanegrave,
John de Bourne.
1st. — John de Segrave,
John de Carleham.
2d. At York John de Bourne,
Henry de Holles.
2d. At New Sarum. Thomas de Bourne,
John de Bourne.
2d. At York John de Bourne,
John Malmayns de Waldwareshare.
3d. Parliament at New Sarum John de Bourne, (fn. 1)
Thomas de Bourne.
4th. At Westminster. John de Cobham,
John de Ifeld.
4th. At Winchester. Philip de Pympe,
Henry de Helles.
5th. At Westminster. John de Ifeld,
Ralph de St. Laurence.
6th. — Henry de Helles,
Otto de Grandison.
6th. — John de Ifeld,
John de Cobham.
8th. — Ralph Savage,
William Morant.
8th. At York Thomas de Baa,
Thomas de Ore,
9th. — John de Cobham,
Robert de Stangrave.
10th. At Westminster John de Cobham.
William Morant.
10th. — Philip de Pympe,
William Morant.
11th. — The same.
11th. — Ralph de Savage,
Stephen de Ashway.
12th. Council at Northampton Ralph de Savage,
Stephen de Cobham.
12th. Parliament at Westminster John Malemayns,
John Savage.
13th. — Thomas de Brochehille,
Humphry de Northwode.
13th. — Ralph Savage,
Henry de Valoyns.
14th. — Robert de Shirlonde,
William de Dene.
14th. — William de Orlaston.
Thomas de Brockehille.
14th. — William de Orlaston,
15th. — William de Orlaston,
Thomas de Brochehille.
17th. — Roger de Higham,
18th. At New Sarum Stephen de Cobham,
William de Grey.
20th. At Westminster Ralph de St. Leger,
Thomas de Gillingham.
21st. — Otto de Grandison,
Robert de Chene.
22d. — The same.
25th. — Otto de Grandison,
Arnold Savage.
26th. — Otto de Grandison,
27th. Council at Westminster Thomas de Brockhille,
28th. Parliament at Westminster Otto de Grandison,
John Fitzbernard.
29th. — John de Mereworth,
John Fitzbernard.
31st. Parliament at Westminster Otho de Grandison,
Thomas Apuldrefeld.
31st. — John de Mereworth,
Robert Chene.
34th. — William Apuldrefeld,
William Haldenne.
34th. — Thomas Apuldrefeld,
Thomas Colepeper.
36th. — Ralph de Ferningham,
Thomas Apuldrefeld.
37th. — Thomas Apuldrefeld,
John Barry.
38th — John Colepeper,
Thomas Apuldrefeld.
40th. — Richard Attlese,
Richard Dygges.
42d. — Thomas Covene,
Thomas Colepeper.
43d. — Thomas Apuldrefeld,
Thomas Covene.
45th. — Thomas Apuldrfeld,
John Barry.
45th. Council at Winchester Thomas Apuldrefeld,
46th. Parliament at Winchester William de Pympe,
James de Peckham.
47th. — Stephen de Valoyns,
Richard Charles.
50th. — Thomas Fogge, chevr.
Thomas de Cobham.
51st. — Robert Passele,
Arnold St. Leger.

IN THE TIME OF KING RICHARD II.

Years of the Reign, &c. Names of the Knights in Parliament.
1st. Parliament at Westminster John de Fremingham,
James de Peckham.
2d. At Gloucester Thomas Fogge, chevr.
John de Brochehille, chevr
2d. At Westminster, Robert Passelle, chevr.
Ralph St. Leger, chevr.
3d. — William Stephens,
Nicholas Atte-Crouche.
4th. At Northampton Thomas Fogge, chevr.
William de Guldeford.
5th. At Westminster Thomas de Fogge,
John de Fremingham.
5th. — Thomas Colepeper, chevr.
Thomas de Cobham, chevr.
6th. — Thomas Colepeper de Farleigh, chevr.
Thomas Brochehille.
6th. — Thomas Fogge, chevr.
James Peckham.
7th. — Thomas Colepeper,
Thomas Fogge, chevr.
7th. At New Sarum Robert Corby,
William Guldeford.
8th. At Westminster John Cobham,
Robert Notbeame.
8th. — Thomas Fogge,
Thomas Cobham.
9th. — Thomas Brokhill,
Nicholas Adam.
10th. — William Bettenham,
Geoffrey Chaucer.
11th. — Thomas Fogge, chevr
James de Peckham.
12th. Parliament at Cambridge James de Peckham,
William Bettenham.
13th. — Arnold Savage, chevr.
John Cobham.
14th. At Westminster Arnold Savage, chevr.
Nicholas Potyn.
16th. At Winchester William Burcete, chevr
Nicholas Potyn.
17th. At Westminster William Peche, chevr.
John de Cobham.
18th. — Nicholas Haute,
Thomas Brokhill.
20th. — Thomas Brokhill,
Nicholas Potyn.
21ft. — William Peche, chevr.
John Cobham.

IN THE TIME OF KING HENRY IV.

1ft. At Westminster John de Fremingham,
Thomas Brokhill.
2d. — Arnold Savage, knight,
Thomas Brokhill.
3d. — The same.
4th. At Winchester, The same.
5th. At Westminster Reginald Braybroke, chevr.
Arnold Savage, chevr.
6th. At Coventry Thomas de Clinton, chevr.
John de Horn.
8th. At Westminster Richard Clitherowe,
Robert Clifford.
9th. At Gloucester Richard Clitherowe,
John Darell.
12th. At Westminster Reginald Pympe,
William Haute of Hautsborne.

IN THE TIME OF KING HENRY V.

1ft. — John Darell,
John Boteller.
2d. At Leicester Thomas Clynton, chevr.
John Darell.
2d. At Westminster. Arnold Savage,
John Clifford.
3d. — John Wilcox,
William Chene.
8th — William Rickhill,
Thomas Towne,
8th. — William Simon,
William Lovel.
9th. — Thomas Elys,
Roger Bonyngton.

IN THE TIME OF KING HENRY VI.

1ft. — Geffry Louther,
Reginald Pympe.
2d. — John Rickhill,
William Bury.
3d. — John Darell,
John Drylond.
4th. At Leicester John Lowther,
Edward Guldeford.
5th. At Westminster. John Darell,
John Brambury.
8th. At Westminster John Darell,
William Haute
9th. Parliament at Westminster John Bambury,
William Scott.
13th. — Reginald Peckham,
Edward Guldeford,
20th. — James Fenys,
William Isle.
25th. At Cambridge James Fenys,
William Cromer.
27th. At Westminster John Chene,
William Cromer.
28th. — William Isle,
John Wavershed.
29th. — Laurence Peche,
William Haute.
31st. At Reading William Hextall,
John Thornbury.
38th. At Westminster Thomas Kiriel,
Robert Horn.

IN THE TIME OF KING EDWARD IV.

7th. — John Scott, knt.
James Peckham, esq.
12th. — Henry Ferrers, knt.
John Sley, esq.
17th. — John Fogg, knt.
John Brumpton.

[All the writs, indentures, and returns, from the 17th of king Edward IV. to the 1st year of king Edward VI are lost, except one imperfect bundle, No. 33, Henry VIII. in which COLCHESTER, CANTERBURY, and ROCHESTER, are missing.]

IN THE TIME OF KING EDWARD VI.

Years of the Reign, &c. Names of the Knights in Parliament,
1ft. Parliament at Westminster
6th. — Thomas Cheyne,
Henry Sidney.

IN THE TIME OF QUEEN MARY.

1ft. — Thomas Cheyne, knight of the Garter
Robert Southwell, knt.
1ft. At Oxford Thomas Cheyne, knt.
John Baker, knt.

IN THE TIME OF PHILIP AND MARY.

1st and 2d. At Westminster Thomas Cheyne, knt.
John Baker, knt.
2d and 3d. — John Baker, knt.
Robert Southwell, knt.
4th and 5th. — Thomas Cheyne, knt.
John Baker, knt.

IN THE TIME OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

1ft. — Richard Sackville, and in his room
Thomas Kempe, knt.
5th. — Henry Sidney, knt.
Henry Cheyne, esq.
13th. — Henry Sidney, knt. president of Wales,
Thomas Scott, knt.
27th. Parliament at Westminster Philip Sidney, knt.
Edward Wotton, esq.
28th. — Henry Cobham alias Brooke, knt.
Thomas Scott, knt.
31st. — Henry Brooke, esq.
Henry Cobham, knt.
35th. — Edward Hobie, knt.
Moile Finch, knt.
39th. — Robert Sidney, knt.
William Brooke, knt.
43d. — Henry Nevill, knt.
Francis Fane, esq.

IN THE TIME OF KING JAMES I.

1ft. — John Scott, knt.
John Leveson, knt.
12th. —
18th. — Robert Sidney, knt. viscount Lisle
George Fane, esq.
21ft. — Nicholas Tufton, knt.
Edwin Sandys, knt.

IN THE TIME OF KING CHARLES I.

1ft. — Mildmay, lord Berghersh,
Albertus Morton, knt.
1ft. — Edward Hales, bart.
Edward Scott, knt.
3d. — Thomas Finch, knt. and bart.
Dudley Diggs, knt.
15th. — Roger Twysden, knt. and bart.
Norton Knatchbull, esq.
16th. Parliament at Westminster Edward Dering, bart. (fn. 2)
John Colepeper, knt. and in his room
John Boys, esq.

INTERREGNUM.

IN THE TIME OF KING CHARLES II.

12th. — 1660. Sir John Tufton, bart.
Sir Edward Dering, bart.
13th. — 1661. Sir Thomas Peyton, bart.
Sir John Tufton, knt. and bart.
31st. — 1678. Sir Vere Fane, K. B.
Edward Dering, esq.
31st. — 1679.
32d. At Oxford, 1681 Sir Vere Fane, K. B.
Edward Dering, esq.

IN THE TIME OF KING JAMES II.

1st. At Westminster, 1685 Sir William Twysden, bart.
Sir John Knatchbull, bart.

IN THE TIME OF WILLIAM AND MARY.

1ft. — 1688. Sir Vere Fane, K. B.
Sir John Knatchbull, bart.
2d. — 1690. The same. (fn. 3)

IN THE TIME OF KING WILLIAM III.

Years of the Reign, &c. Names of the Knights in Parliament.
7th. Parliament at Westminster, 1695. Hon. Philip Sidney, esq.
Sir Thomas Roberts, bart.
10th. — 1698. Sir James Oxenden, knt. and bart.
Sir Stephen Lennard, bart.
12th. — 1700. Sir Thomas Hales, bart.
Thomas Meredith, esq.
13th. — 1701. Sir Thomas Hales, bart.
William Campion, esq.

IN THE TIME OF QUEEN ANNE.

1st. — 1702. Sir Thomas Hales, bart.
Sir Francis Leigh, knt.
4th. — 1705. Hon. William viscount Villiers.
Sir Cholmley Dering, bart.
7th. — 1708. Sir Thomas Palmer,
Sir Stephen Lennard, bart. (fn. 4)
9th. — 1710. Sir Cholmley Dering, bart. (fn. 5)
Percival Hart, esq.
12th. — 1713. Percival Hart, esq.
Edward Knatchbull, esq.

IN THE TIME OF GEORGE I.

1st. — 1714. Hon. Mildmay Fane, esq. (fn. 6)
William Delaune, esq.
7th. — 1722. Sir Thomas Twysden, bart.
Sir Edward Knatchbull, bart.

IN THE TIME OF KING GEORGE II.

Years of the Reign, &c. Names of the Knights in Parliament.
1st. Parliament at Westminster, 1727. Sir Roger Meredith, bart.
Sir Robert Furnese, bart. (fn. 7)
7th. — 1734. William viscount Vane, (fn. 8)
Sir Edward Dering, bart.
14th. — 1741. Sir Edward Dering, bart.
Sir Roger Twisden, bart.
21st. — 1747. The same.
28th. — 1754. Hon. Robert Fairfax
Hon. Lewis Monson Watson.

IN THE TIME OF KING GEORGE III.

1st. — 1761. Hon. Robert Fairfax,
Sir Windham Knatchbull, bart. (fn. 9)
7th. — 1768. Sir Brook Bridges, bart.
John Sackville, esq. (fn. 10)
14th. — 1774. Hon. Charles Marsham,
Thomas Knight, junior, esq.
20th. — 1780. Hon. Charles Marsham,
Filmer Honeywood, esq.
24th. — 1784. The same.
30th. — 1790. Sir Edward Knatchbull, bart.
Filmer Honeywood, esq.
36th. — 1796. Sir Edward Knatchbull, bart.
Sir William Geary, bart. (fn. 11)

Footnotes

  • 1. This John de Bourn, in the 3d year of king Edward III. demanded his wages, as one of the knights for the community of the county of Kent, of the sheriff, and he had writs of the Great Seal for levying the money on the community of this county. Mad. firm. Burg. p. 102. Placita Cor. Baronibus ex Rot. b.
  • 2. In 1641 he was expelled the house, by the powers who then ruled, for his loyalty, and captain Augustine Skinner was placed in his room, as a man more fit for their purposes.
  • 3. On Vere Fane's becoming a peer, sir Thomas Roberts, bart. was chosen in his room.
  • 4. On his death David Polhill, esq. was chosen in his room.
  • 5. On his death sir William Hardres, bart. was chosen.
  • 6. On his decease his brother John Fane, afterwards earl of Westmoreland, was chosen.
  • 7. On his death in 1733, sir Edward Dering, bart. was chosen.
  • 8. He died a few days after his election, and sir Christopher Powell, knight, was chosen.
  • 9. He died in 1763, and sir Brooke Bridges, bart. was chosen.
  • 10. On his succeeding to the dukedom of Dorset, Sir Charles Farnaby of Keppington, bart. was chosen in his room.
  • 11. The poll lasted nine days, closing on June 16, when the numbers, as declared by the sheriff, were for sir Edward Knatchbull, 5202; for sir Wm Geary, 4418; and for Mr. Honeywood, 4280.