Edward Baber (MP) facts for kids
Edward Baber (born 1532, died 1578) was an important English person. He worked as a politician, a lawyer, and a judge. He was also a very rich landowner in a part of England called Somerset.
He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Bath. He was an MP in the English Parliament in 1571 and again from 1572 to 1576.
Contents
Edward Baber: A Life in Law and Politics
Early Life and Education
Edward Baber was the younger son of John Baber and Agnes Willet. His family was well-known and owned a lot of land in Chew Magna, Somerset.
He went to a special law school called Lincoln's Inn. After his studies, he became a qualified lawyer, which is called being "called to the Bar".
A Career in Law
Edward Baber became a judge for Bath around 1571, a role known as the Recorder. Later, in 1577, he became a very senior lawyer called a Serjeant-at-law.
Being the Recorder of Bath meant he could represent the town in the House of Commons of England. During his time in Parliament, he worked hard on different committees. He mostly joined committees where his legal knowledge was very helpful.
Wealth and Land
Edward Baber earned a lot of money from his work as a lawyer. This allowed him to buy a lot of land in Somerset. He bought large estates called manors, including Aldwick and Regilbury in Nempnett Thrubwell.
He also bought half of his family's original estate in Chew Magna from his older brother. Besides his country estates, he owned houses in the big cities of London and Bristol.
His Family
Edward Baber married Katherine Leigh. Her father was Sir Thomas Leigh, who was once the Lord Mayor of London.
Edward and Katherine had four sons, including Francis, who was their oldest son. They also had three daughters. One of their daughters, Mary, married Sir Roger Wilbraham, who was a top lawyer for Ireland. Later, she married Sir Thomas Delves.
Legacy and Burial
Edward Baber and his wife Katherine Leigh are buried together. Their tomb is in the Baber Chapel at Saint Andrew's Anglican Parish Church in Chew Magna.
