Edwin Rich (politician)

Sir Edwin Rich (c. 1594 – 16 November 1675) was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640.

Rich was born at Thetford, Norfolk, the son of Sir Edwin Rich of Mulbarton, Norfolk and his wife Honora Worlick, daughter of Charles Worlick. William Kempe remarked on the generous hospitality after Edwin senior provided entertainment for him during the "Nine Daies Wonder", a dance he performed on road ways between London and Norwich passing through Thetford. Here he spent an enjoyable weekend at Edwin Rich's house.[1] The rich family later moved to Norwich and Edwin went on to be educated at Trinity College, Cambridge[2] and Lincoln's Inn.[3]

In April 1640, having no local connections,[4] Rich was elected Member of Parliament for Fowey in the Short Parliament.[5] He did not stand again and was appointed Vice-Admiral of Norfolk in 1644, remaining until 1649. In 1647, he became Master in Chancery to hear and determine causes in Chancery.[6] In 1651, he was appointed Commissioner for Assessment for the County of Middlesex[7] After the Restoration, Rich was knighted, on 10 July 1666.[8]

  1. ^ Kemp, William (1600). Kemp's Nine Daies Wonder. London: E. A. for Nicholas Ling.
  2. ^ This is asserted in his autobiographical epitaph, but there is no record for him in Venn
  3. ^ Arthur Collins The English baronetage: containing a genealogical and historical account
  4. ^ Anne Duffin Faction and faith: politics and religion of the Cornish gentry before the Civil War
  5. ^ Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.
  6. ^ 'House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 30 April 1647', Journal of the House of Commons: volume 5: 1646-1648 (1802), pp. 157-158. Date accessed: 21 April 2011
  7. ^ 'House of Commons Journal Volume 6: 16 April 1651', Journal of the House of Commons: volume 6: 1648-1651 (1802), pp. 561-563. Date accessed: 21 April 2011
  8. ^ Knights of England