William Brouncker (died 1596) facts for kids
Sir William Brouncker (born around 1547 – died 1596) was an important English man. He worked as a lawyer and was also a member of the English Parliament. This means he helped make laws for the country.
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Who Was Sir William Brouncker?
Sir William Brouncker was born around 1547. He was the oldest son of Henry Brouncker. His family lived in places called Melksham and Erlestoke.
Early Life and Education
William followed in his father's footsteps. He studied law at a famous place called the Middle Temple in 1566. The Middle Temple is one of the oldest and most respected schools for lawyers in England. After his father passed away in 1568, William took over the family's responsibilities. Later, in 1592, he was given the special title of "Sir" when he was knighted.
A Career in Parliament
Sir William Brouncker was chosen by people to represent them in the English government. He became a Member (MP).
What is Parliament?
The Parliament of England was like the country's main meeting place for making laws. People called Members of Parliament (MPs) were elected to speak for different areas. They would meet to discuss important issues and create new rules for everyone.
Representing His Area
Sir William was elected as an MP several times. He represented the area of Westbury in 1572 and again in 1584. He also represented the larger area of Wiltshire in 1586, 1589, and 1593. This shows he was a trusted and active leader in his community.
Other Important Roles
Besides being an MP, Sir William Brouncker held other important jobs that helped his local area.
Justice of the Peace
From 1573, he worked as a Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace was a local official who helped keep law and order. They would handle minor legal cases and make sure local rules were followed.
High Sheriff
He was also chosen to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire for the years 1581 to 1582. The High Sheriff was a very important person in the county. They were in charge of making sure laws were enforced and that the king's orders were carried out.
Family Life
Sir William Brouncker was married to a woman named Martha. She was the daughter of another important person, Sir Walter Mildmay. Together, Sir William and Martha had one son and four daughters.
