Richard Edgecombe, MP

Family and Education b. c.1540, 2nd s. of Sir Richard Edgecombe† by his 2nd w., and bro. of Peter. m., 1da.

Offices Held

J.p.q. Devon from c.1577-87, Cornw. from c.1573-87.

Biography In 1565 Edgecombe, whose family was already in want, wrote to Totnes, the borough for which he had been nominated by his elder brother, complaining that his expenses for the first session of the Parliament were 20 marks above his allowance of 40s., and asking, as a new session seemed likely to begin, that either the borough should return another Member, or else pay him the ‘bare fee’ of 2s. a day, he having no reason to visit London on his own account.

His name can be seen in various connexions as he went about his public and private business: in 1580 the Privy Council required him to take a deposition from Peter Edgecombe about the controversy between William and John Hawkins and Sir Henry Radcliffe; in 1581 he was thanked for arresting an Irishman at Plymouth; in the following year he was, with other Devon justices, given a commission to inquire into concealed lands; and in 1587 he was again involved in a dispute of his brother’s, this time a Star Chamber case brought by William Hawkins against Peter Edgecombe.

If the Richard Edgecombe who was taken off the commission of the peace for Devon in 1587 possibly for non-residence), is the 1563 Totnes Member, it may indicate that before this year he left Cotehele. In any event nothing further is known of him and his date of death has not been ascertained.

Richard Carew of Antony, ed. Halliday, 16; W. H. Edgcumbe, Edgcumbe Fam. Recs. 107, 123; APC, viii. 12; xiii. 49; St. Ch. 5/H38/15; Lansd. 121, f. 66.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603 Author: P. W. Hasler