Samuel Lewkenor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Lewkenor
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | bap. 3rd Nov. 1571 Selsey, Sussex
|
| Died | c.1614 |
| Education | Winchester College |
| Occupation | Soldier, courtier, M.P., author, |
| Known for | A discourse not altogether unprofitable, nor unpleasant for such as are desirous to know the situation and customes of forraine cities without travelling to see them : Containing a discourse of all those citties wherein doe flourish at this day priviledged universities. (1600) |
Samuel Lewkenor (born around 1571, died about 1615) was an interesting English person. He worked for the royal court, was a Member of Parliament (M.P.), and wrote books about his travels. He was known for his book about universities in other countries.
Contents
Who Was Samuel Lewkenor?
Samuel Lewkenor was the sixth son of Thomas Lewkenor and Bridget Lewes. He was born in Selsey, Sussex. His older brother, Sir Lewes Lewkenor, also worked for the court. Sir Lewes was a soldier, writer, and served King James I. Samuel married Jane Hopton sometime after 1601.
Early Life and Education
Samuel went to Winchester College, a famous school in England. In the early 1590s, he traveled across Europe. He visited many important universities there. He later wrote a book about these travels.
Adventures and Spy Work
During his travels, Samuel also worked as a soldier in the Netherlands. He even served as a spy for Sir Robert Cecil, a powerful government official. Samuel helped Cecil by planting a fake letter. This letter was part of a plan to trick someone named Richard Hesketh.
A Writer and Politician
Samuel returned to England in 1594. He later wrote a book called A Discourse on Universities (1600). In this book, he said he was more used to the sound of war drums than school bells. He dedicated his book to his uncle, Sir Richard Lewkenor.
Through his uncle, Samuel met and married Jane Hopton. She was a widow from Shropshire.
In 1604, Samuel became a Member of Parliament for Bishop's Castle. His brother Lewes was also an M.P. at the same time. Samuel once suggested that schools like Eton College and Winchester should be added to a new law. This law would stop the families of college leaders from living at the colleges.
During the trial of the Gunpowder plotters in 1606, Samuel complained about the crowds. The person in charge of the Fleet prison was selling tickets to watch the trial. This made the benches too crowded for the M.P.s. Samuel joked that the warden should be locked up in a tiny cell called 'Little Ease'. He said this because the warden 'caused them to stand in little ease'.
Samuel Lewkenor is not mentioned in records after 1610. His wife died in 1611. He was also not mentioned in his uncle Richard's will from 1615. Because of this, people believe Samuel died around 1614 or 1615.
