INTRODUCTION. Vii King James,) at which he was made one of the Knights of the Bath. h 15th July, In 16th July, 1604, he was made Forester of Boringwood or Bring- 1603. wood Chase, in the county of Hereford, with the office of the Pokership (the nature of which office is now involved in obscurity), Authorities and custody of the forest or chase of Prestwood, and in the 7th of given in Collins. King James he obtained a grant to himself, his heirs, and assigns for ever, for a weekly market and annual fair at Wigmore. Marrying early, in the life-time of his father,a he resided for some a Noticeof Rec- time at Stanage Lode in the parish of Brampton; and whilst in- tors of Bramp- dg , ton Bryan in teresting himself in rural pursuits, in the improvement of breeds of Hari. Mss. Brit Museum. cattle, sheep, and horses, and other branches of agriculture, devoted much of his time to everything connected with the business and welfare, religious and secular, of the county of Hereford, of which he was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant. He represented the borough of Radnor in the parliament 1° and 120 James,b and was b Willis's No- elected one of the knights for Herefordshire in 21° James, and in titia Parliamen- taria. 15°, 16° of Charles, which last beginning 3rd Nov. 1640, continued sitting until 1653 ; a parliament which, notwithstanding the dissolu- tion of the monarchy and the summoning of no less than four parliaments by the usurping power, was re-assembled in 1659, when a Bill was passed for its dissolution,° and for calling another ° 16 March, parliament, which met 25th April, 1660, and restored the monarchy. 1659 -60. Sir Robert was a man of wit, learning, and piety, but of an austere and decided character. As a patriot, he was zealous and active for the redress of the many grievances under which the people of England had too just grounds of complaint; and in his religion he was deeply imbued with the views of the Puritans, of which party he was one of the most decided and influential members. The Journals of the House of Commons, especially during the Long Parliament, evince how incessantly and zealously he was occu- pied in committees of that house, and in conferences with the Lords,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=