Comments
VENN: Adm. at QUEENS', 1526. S. of John, of Saffron Walden, Herts., Sheriff of Herts. B. there, Dec. 23, 1513 (? Mar. 28, 1514, according to Misc. Gen. et Her., 2nd S., IV). B.A. 1529-30; M.A. 1533. Fellow, 1530-47. Public Orator, 1538-42. Regius Professor of Civil Law, 1542. Vice-Chancellor, 1543-5. Incorp. LL.D. from Padua, 1541-2. R. of Leverington, Cambs., 1545-9. Chancellor and vicargeneral of Ely, 1545. Provost of Eton, 1547-54. Dean of Carlisle, 1547-53, 1559-77. Privy Councillor, 1548-9, 1570. Secretary of State, 1548-9, 1573-7. Knighted, 1548. M.P. for Grampound, 1553; for Liverpool, 1559; for Essex, 1571, 1572-7. Well known in Cambridge in the revival of Greek. Frequently employed in embassies abroad. Of Hill Hall, Essex. Married (1) Elizabeth, dau. of William Karkeck, of London; (2) Philippa, dau. of John Wilford, of London. Author, De Republica Anglorum, etc. Died s.p., Aug. 12, 1577. Buried at Theydon Mount, Essex. Benefactor to Queens'. (D.N.B.; Misc. Gen. et Her., 2nd S., IV. 24; Cooper, I. 368.)