Roger Hunt (speaker) facts for kids
Roger Hunt (died around 1455) was an important English politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) and was even chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. This means he was in charge of leading discussions and debates in the main law-making body of England during his time.
Who Was Roger Hunt?
Roger Hunt came from a background that isn't very well known. However, he worked hard and became very successful. He managed to get control of a large estate called Molesworth in an area called Huntingdonshire. He also made friends with powerful people, like Sir John Tiptoft and John Mowbray, who later became the Duke of Norfolk. These friendships helped him a lot in his career.
Around 1402, Roger Hunt rented a house in London. This was probably when he was studying to become a lawyer at a famous place called Lincoln's Inn. From 1408 to 1410, he worked as a royal attorney, which meant he was a lawyer for the king in important legal cases. Sir John Tiptoft helped him get this job.
Roger Hunt's Time in Parliament
Roger Hunt was elected as a knight of the shire for Huntingdonshire in 1407. A "knight of the shire" was a representative for a county in Parliament. This was the first of many times he would be elected!
He was elected to Parliament 18 times in total, almost every time between 1407 and 1433. There was only one election in December 1421 when he wasn't chosen. On three occasions (in 1414, 1416, and 1420), he chose to represent Bedfordshire instead of Huntingdonshire. He had some land and interests in Chawston, Bedfordshire, which is why he represented that area sometimes.
Roger Hunt was chosen to be the Speaker of the House twice. He was Speaker in 1420 and again in 1433. The Speaker's job is to keep order in Parliament, make sure everyone follows the rules, and speak for the House of Commons when they deal with the King or other important people.
Later Life and Legacy
After his long career in Parliament, Roger Hunt continued to serve the country. He was appointed as the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire for the years 1433 and 1434. A High Sheriff was a very important local official, responsible for law and order and collecting taxes.
From 1439 to 1447, he held another important position: second baron of the exchequer. The exchequer was like the country's treasury, dealing with royal money and finances.
Roger Hunt passed away around 1455. He was married to a woman named Margery, whose last name was probably Bullock. They had a son, also named Roger, who took over his father's estates in July 1456.
