Richard Browne (died 1604) facts for kids
Sir Richard Browne (born around 1539 – died 1604) was an English politician from Horsley, Essex and later from Sayes Court in Deptford, Kent. He held important jobs working for the royal family and was a member of the English Parliament.
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Early Life and Training
Richard Browne was born around the year 1539. He was a younger son of John Browne from Colchester, Essex. As a young man, he studied law at a famous legal school in London called either the Inner Temple or the Middle Temple. This training helped him prepare for a career in public service. He was given the special title of "Sir" (knighted) in 1603.
A Career in Politics
Sir Richard Browne was a Member of Parliament (often called an MP). An MP is someone chosen by people to represent them in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament of England. He represented several different areas during his career:
- Lichfield in 1584
- Newtown (Isle of Wight) in 1593
- Cirencester in 1601
- Harwich in 1604
Important Jobs in the Royal Household
Sir Richard Browne had many important roles working for the royal family. In 1585, he went with the Earl of Leicester on a trip to the Netherlands. There, he helped make sure the army had enough food and supplies.
He was given a job called the Clerk of the Green Cloth in 1588. This meant he helped manage the royal household's food and supplies. By 1596, he was a clerk comptroller of the Household, which meant he helped oversee the royal household's operations. From 1603 until he died, he was the Master of the Household, a very important job managing the King's home and staff. He was also a cofferer, which meant he managed the royal household's money.
Besides his royal duties, he also worked as a justice of the peace for Middlesex by 1600. A justice of the peace was someone who helped keep law and order in their local area.
His Family and Legacy
Sir Richard Browne married a woman named Joan. She was the daughter of John Vigors from Langham, Essex. Joan was a young widow who already had a daughter named Joan Eve. Sir Richard and Joan had at least one son, Christopher.
When Richard became the Clerk of the Green Cloth, he was given the right to use the Saye's Court estate in Deptford. This estate was about 200 acres and became his home.
His son, Christopher Browne, also lived at Saye's Court. Christopher married Thomasine Gonson, whose father, Benjamin Gonson, was in charge of the Navy's money. Sir Richard's grandson, Richard, later received a special title called a baronet. His great-granddaughter, Mary Browne, married John Evelyn, who was a famous writer and diarist.
