Thomas Snagge facts for kids

Thomas Snagge (1536–1593) was an important person in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was also a barrister, a type of lawyer who speaks in court. Thomas Snagge owned a lot of land and held several high-ranking jobs, including Speaker of the English House of Commons and Attorney General for Ireland. He also served as the Queen's Sergeant, a top legal advisor to the Queen.

Life of Thomas Snagge

Thomas Snagge was born in 1536 in a place called Letchworth. His father, also named Thomas Snagge, was a wealthy lord of the manor in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Becoming a Lawyer

Young Thomas Snagge decided to study law. He went to a famous law school in London called Gray's Inn. After finishing his studies, he became a barrister in 1554. This meant he could practice law in London.

Working for the Queen

In 1571, Snagge was chosen to represent Bedfordshire in the English Parliament. This was a big step in his career.

A few years later, in 1577, Queen Elizabeth I picked him for a special job: Attorney General for Ireland. This role meant he was the chief legal advisor for the Queen in Ireland. The Queen chose him because she thought he was very good at his job and could help fix problems with the legal system in Ireland.

However, Thomas Snagge didn't really enjoy living and working in Ireland. He found it difficult and often wrote letters complaining about his experiences. He even complained about another important legal official, Nicholas White, to the Queen's special council. He left this job in 1580.

Speaker of the House

Thomas Snagge continued his political career in England. In 1586, he was again elected to Parliament for Bedfordshire. Then, in 1589, he was elected for the borough of Bedford.

In 1589, his fellow Members of Parliament chose him to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Speaker is like the leader of the Parliament meetings, making sure everything runs smoothly. In 1590, he received another important promotion, becoming the Queen's Sergeant, a very senior legal position.

Thomas Snagge owned several large estates in Bedfordshire. His main home was at Marston Moretaine.

Later Life and Family

Thomas Snagge passed away in 1593. He was buried in St Mary's Church in Marston Moretaine. You can still see his tomb there, which has statues of him and his wife, Elizabeth.

He was married to Elizabeth Dickons, and they had five sons and two daughters. His oldest son, also named Thomas, followed in his father's footsteps and also became a Member of Parliament.