Walter Sandys (died 1609) facts for kids

Sir Walter Sandys (born around 1540 – died 29 August 1609) was an English politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Stockbridge.

Who Was Sir Walter Sandys?

Sir Walter Sandys was an important figure in English politics during the late 1500s. He came from a noble family and held several key positions, helping to govern his local area and represent it in Parliament.

Early Life and Family Connections

Walter Sandys was the younger son of Thomas Sandys, 2nd Baron Sandys. His mother was Elizabeth, whose father was George Manners, 11th Baron Ros. Being the younger son of a baron meant he had a good family background, but he would not inherit his father's title.

Education and Legal Training

To prepare for a career in public service, Walter Sandys studied law. He joined the Inner Temple in 1555. The Inner Temple was, and still is, one of the four "Inns of Court" in London, where lawyers are trained.

His Marriage and Son

Walter Sandys married Mabel. Her father was Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, another very important person. Walter and Mabel had one son, who also became a well-known politician, Sir William Sandys.

Sir Walter's Political Career

Sir Walter Sandys had a busy career in public service, taking on various roles that helped manage and protect the local area.

Serving as a Member of Parliament

From 1563 to 1567, Sir Walter Sandys was an MP for Stockbridge. As an MP, he represented the people of Stockbridge in the English Parliament, helping to make laws and discuss important issues for the country.

Roles in Hampshire

Sir Walter also held several important jobs in Hampshire, the county where he lived:

• He was a Justice of the Peace (JP). JPs were local officials who helped keep law and order and dealt with minor crimes.
• He served as High Sheriff of Hampshire twice, first from 1576 to 1577 and again from 1591 to 1592. The High Sheriff was a very important position, responsible for enforcing laws, managing elections, and keeping the peace in the county.

Becoming a Knight

In 1591, Walter Sandys was given the title of "Knight." This was an honor given by the monarch (the Queen or King) to people who had served the country well. After this, he was known as Sir Walter Sandys.

A Family Dispute

In the 1590s, Sir Walter Sandys was involved in a disagreement with his nephew, William Sandys, 3rd Baron Sandys. Sir Walter believed his nephew had unfairly taken control of his family estate, a large property called a manor, in a place called Mottisfont.

He tried to resolve the issue through a process called arbitration, where an independent person helps settle a dispute. However, Sir Walter was not happy with the outcome. He even went to speak directly with the Lord Chief Justice, who was the most senior judge in England at the time, to complain about the situation.

Later Life and Death

Sir Walter Sandys passed away on 29 August 1609 in the city of Winchester.