Sir Edward Herbert, MP

Family and Education b. c.1542, 2nd s. of William Herbert†, 1st Earl of Pembroke, by his 1st w. Anne, da. of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal, Westmld. educ. ?Peterhouse, Camb. 1561-5. m. 1570, Mary, da. and h. of Thomas Stanley† of Standon, Herts. and London, 4s. inc. William III 8da. Kntd. 1574.

Offices Held

Biography Returned for the family borough at the first opportunity after attaining his majority, Herbert left no trace upon the records of Parliament and never sat again. On the 1st Earl of Pembroke’s death in 1569 he inherited the manor of Hendon, Middlesex. He also inherited his mother’s lands in Northamptonshire and Westmorland. The most important event in his life was his purchase of Powis Castle, of which he was in possession by 1579, the transaction, the culmination of a long connexion with the Greys of Powis, being finally completed in 1587. Herbert’s interests were confined to Montgomeryshire factions, and he played little part in public life. In 1590 his brother, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke, unsuccessfully put him forward for membership of the council in the marches. Herbert, it seems, was a crypto-Catholic, his name being on a list of Catholics drawn up between 1574 and 1577 and, with his wife, on another drawn up in 1582. His cousin, Henry Sydney, then lord president of the council in the marches of Wales, was supposed to arrest recusants and did institute proceedings against them in Montgomeryshire in 1580. Nothing, however, was done about Herbert, though in June 1594 his wife and her five children, all under age, were presented for recusancy, not having attended services at the parish church at Welshpool for 12 months. In 1611 his widow was still a recusant and in the 17th century the family were noted for their Catholic leanings. Herbert died intestate 23 Mar. 1595 and was buried in the church at Welshpool. Letters of administration were granted to the widow in April 1595. His son William was created Baron Powis in 1629.

CP, x. 410, 643-4; Genealogist, n.s. xxviii. 185; Pembroke Survey (Roxburghe Club 1909), xxx; Mont. Colls. passim; C142/242/107; P. H. Williams, Council in the Marches of Wales, 86, 91, 236, 240; London Recusant, i. 9-11.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603 Author: W.J.J.