Sampson Lennard facts for kids
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Sampson Lennard (born 1545, died September 20, 1615) was an important person from Chevening in Kent, England. He was known for being a Member of Parliament (MP) for many different areas during the time of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.
Who Was Sampson Lennard?
Sampson Lennard was a well-known member of the gentry. This means he was from a family with high social standing and owned land in Kent and Sussex. He held an important job called High Sheriff of Kent in 1590 and 1591. The High Sheriff was a royal officer who helped keep law and order in a county.
His Time in Parliament
Sampson Lennard first became a Member of Parliament in 1571. A Member of Parliament is someone chosen to represent a group of people in the country's main law-making body. In England, this was the Parliament. Sampson Lennard helped make decisions and laws for the country.
He represented many different places during his career, which was quite unusual! Some of the areas he represented included:
- Launceston
- Bramber
- St Mawes
- Christchurch
- St Germans
- Rye
- Liskeard
- And finally, the whole county of Sussex in 1614.
His Family Life
Sampson Lennard married Margaret Fiennes (1541–1612). Her family held a special title called Baron Dacre. When Margaret's brother passed away in 1594, Sampson successfully helped her claim this title. This meant she became the 11th Baroness Dacre.
Sampson and Margaret had seven children together. Their younger son, Sir Henry Lennard (1570–1616), later inherited the title from his mother and became the 12th Baron Dacre.
Sampson Lennard was buried at St. Botolph, a church in Chevening, Kent, England.
