HERNE, FRANCIS, sat for the borough in the Parliaments of 1754-61. This gentleman, succeeded, by bequest from Mrs. Francis Napier, to the manor of Luton, which he sold in 1763 to the Earl of Bute. He also possessed the manor of Brach. The office of high sheriff of the county was executed by him 20 George II. 1752. He died 29th September, 1776. HILLERSDEN. The manor of Elstow, belonged in the reign of Charles I., and perhaps at an earlier period, to the Hillersdens, who built a large mansion adjoining to the church, now in ruins, the greater part having been pulled down some years ago. The manor was sold to the Whitbreads, in 1792; Evershott manor passed from the Hintons into this family, in 1604; the manor of Hockliffe was granted in 1615, to Thomas Hillersden, Esq., and sold by his descendants in 171%. THOMAS, sat for the borough, in the Parliaments of 1688-89-95. died in 1697. He WILLIAM, sat for the borough, in the Parliaments of 1705-7-8, and for the county, in 1715. In that of 1707, he succeeded, on the death of Sir Philip Monoux. He served the office of High Sheriff of the county, 13 William and Mary. In 1708, he voted for the Act for Naturalizing Foreign Protestants; in 1710, against Dr. Sacheverel; in 1716, for the Repeal of the Triennial Act; in 1719, for Strengthening the Protestant Interest; and in the December of the same year, for the Peerage Bill. HUXLEY, GEORGE, sat for the borough, in the Parliament of 1722, and on accepting the office of a commissioner of the victualling department, in May, 1725, resigned his seat, and was returned for the borough of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. This gentleman's family, seated at Wyer Hall, Middlesex, purchased the manor of Eaton-Bray, of the Sandys, in 1623, which was ultimately disposed of to the Potters. John Huxley, of Eaton-Bray, was sheriff 4 Charles II., in 1652. Sir John Huxley, Knt., also served that office, 17 Charles II., in 1666, and John, 6 Anne, in 1706. KEELING, JOHN, sat for the borough, in the Parliament of 1661. This gentleman's family, now represented by THOMAS WILLIAM FLETCHER, Esq. of Dudley, co. Worcester, was seated at Bewarsley, and Sedgley Park, co. STAFFORD, (which see). Speaking of the borough members, in his Fasti Oxoniensis, WOOD observes, "that he was a counsellor, and a person well read in the municipal laws of England, and was created an M.A. in the House of Convocation." He was of the Inner Temple, called to the degree of Sergeant-at-Law, 4 July, 1660, made a Justice of the King's Bench, 10 June, 1663, and Chief Justice thereof, on the death of Sir Robert Hyde, Knt., 21 Nov., 1665, having previously received the honour of knighthood. On the summoning, in 1660, of the judges to express their opinions and resolutions respecting the trial of the regicides of Charles I., Mr. Keeling was appointed by special order to attend that service in the capacity of counsel for the king. In the following year, he was especially entrusted with the duty of framing a bill to settle the Coercive Power of Ecclesiastical Courts. In 1662, we find him officially engaged as king's counsel, in the trial of Sir Harry Vane; in the November of the same year, opening the indictment against the preacher, JOHN JAMES, accused of high treason, for denouncing the king and predicting his death; and in 1666, presiding over the enquiries relative to the causes of the Great Fire of London. Alluding to his demise 9 May, 1671, ECHARD, in his History of England, observes, "that eminent So lawyer, Sir John Keeling, Knt., lord chief justice of his majesty's Court of the King's Bench, after a long weakness and decay of strength, dy'd at his house in London, much lamented for his great integrity and worth.' greatly, indeed, was he esteemed for the acumen of his legal abilities, that a report of the leading cases, all judged and determined in the reign of Charles II., collected by him, was published in 1708, from his original manuscripts. He was succeeded in the judgeship, by the famous Sir Matthew Hale. His son JOHN, who is described as of Southill in this county, in 1673, was named as a person fit and qualified to be a Knight of the Royal Oak, immediately after the Restoration. LEIGH. The Leighs of Stoneleigh, (a non resident family in this county.) have held the manor of Leighton-Busard, under the church of Windsor, above 200 years. Some of the family formerly resided in the manor house. The site of Caldwell Priory was granted in 1563, to Thomas Leigh, whose descendants continued there in 1620. The manor of Washingleys, in Cranfield parish, was in this family, from which it passed by purchase to the Fields. The manor of Leighton, which was part of the ancient demesne of the crown, was acquired by Sir John Leigh, about the year 1600, by marrying the daughter and heir of Sir Christopher Hoddesden. The ancestors of this noble family assumed their surname from the town of High Leigh in Cheshire, where they were seated before the Conquest. The office of sheriff of the county was served by John Leigh, 2 James I. THOMAS, sat for the borough, in the Parliaments of 1553-53, in the Parliament of 1554, and in the Parliaments of 1557-58. CHARLES, sat for the borough in the Parliament of 1555. HON. CHARLES, sat for the county, in the Parliaments of 1722-27, succeeding to his seat in the latter, on the elevation of the Hon. Pattee Byng, to the Peerage of Torrington, in 1733. He also sat for Warwick, in 1710, and for Higham Ferrers, in 1713-14. This gentleman, who is described as of Leighton, in this county, was brother of Edward, 3rd Baron Leigh, (a title since become extinct). He inherited his estates, by will from his grand-uncle, Charles Leigh, of Leighton, who is mentioned as being a gentleman of the strictest honour and integrity, and so pious and charitable, that in 1680, he purchased lands in Stanbridge Field, in the parish of Leighton, in trust to pay 40s. yearly into the vicar's hands of the church of Leighton, to distribute 20s. of it to poor persons receiving the sacrament at Easter, and to buy good books for the poor with the other 20s., and in 1704, by his will, appointed £20 per annum, to be paid out of his Windsor leasehold estate, to the vicar and his successors for ever, for reading daily prayers in the said church of Leighton, 5s. thereof to be abated for every day prayers were omitted, and to be given to such poor as constantly attend the said prayers; also 20s. to the vicar, for a sermon on Good Friday, and 20s. to the parish clerk, at Christmas, for ringing the bell for the said prayers. He likewise left £10 to the school-master of the said town, for educating ten poor boys, to be chosen by the vicar and churchwardens, and to attend the said prayers, on penalty of losing their schooling." The honourable member for the county, who married Lady Barbara Lumley, sister to Richard, Earl of Scarborough, died 28 July 1749. In the House of Commons, he voted against the French Commerce Bill, Sir Robert Walpole's Excise Scheme, and in favour of the Repeal of the Septennial Act. LUKE. This family derived its honours from Sir Walter, a judge in the Court of Queen's Bench, who acquired the estate of Woodend, in Cople parish (by marrying Anne Launcelyn, nurse to Henry VIII.), where his descendants continued till the death of Sir George Luke, the last of the family, in 1732.* After the death of Sir Robert Newdigate, in 1613, the manor of Hawnes is supposed to have passed by purchase to the Lukes, who appear to have resided there occasionally, from 1626 to 1654; Sir Walter died in 1544, and his son Nicholas, a baron of the Exchequer, in 1563. NICHOLAS, who sat for the county, in the Parliament of 1585, served the office of high sheriff, 21 and 35 Elizabeth. SIR OLIVER, who sat for the borough, in the Parliament of 1597, and for the county in the Parliaments of 1614-20-23-25-25-28-40-40, was third in descent from Nicholas, the baron of the Exchequer, entered at the Middle Temple, was knighted at Charter House, in 1603, and served the shrievalty of his county, 15 James I. In his parliamentary capacity, we frequently meet with his name on committees, especially those appointed for provincial business, during the civil war, till the change of politics in 1647. He was one of those who signed the solemn league and covenant, and was secluded by the army, 6 December, 1648, for having voted on the previous day, that the king's answers to the propositions of both houses, were a ground for peace." He was a colonel of horse: he married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Valentine Knightley, of Fawsley, by whom he had three sons: Samuel, John, and Nicholas. Samuel, afterwards- 66 SIR SAMUEL, sat for the borough in the Parliaments of 1640-40 and 1660. He was knighted 20 July, 1624. Having raised, during the civil wars, a regiment in the county, he was elected to the command, in which station he carried a magnificent ensign, emblazoned with symbols of religion and liberty, the favourite professions of his party. His nomination being approved of by the Parliament, he was commissioned to apprehend Sir Lewis Dives, then at the head of the king's interests in Bedfordshire. In this crusade he was confessedly repulsed, and received four wounds, while Sir Lewis saved his life by swimming a river, but the plunder of his house at Bromham rewarded the soldiers, and when the commissioners assessed it, they found nothing of any value. In October he was present at the battle of Edge-hill, where he charged valiantly; and in the May following, met the Earl of Essex at Thame, preparatory to a junction with Hampden. Although deserted by Urrey, they ventured an action at Chinnor, (June 18,) in which they were defeated with considerable loss; three of Sir Samuel's standards were taken, while he "so guarded himself with his short sword that he escaped without hurt, though thrice taken prisoner, yet rescued, and those to whom he was a prisoner slain :" the last time he was overpowered, but saved by his servant, who pistolled the cavalier. He rewarded his preserver with a hundred pounds, and redeemed the credit of his regiment soon after in the skirmish of Wycombe. From thence he proceeded to Leighton, in Bedfordshire, where he levied troops to oppose a body of royalists, under Sir John Digby Dives, and Urrey, who commanded the northern parts of the county, and supported themselves by plunder. These officers, pursuant to directions from Oxford, having taken in Olney, seized upon Newport-Pagnel, where they proposed * "We are informed," says Lysons, in his Magna Britannia, "that some of the Luke family are still extant, although not of the rank of gentry, and resident in or near Potten," D to establish a garrison of 1500 men. Sir Lewis Dives issued orders for bringing in provisions, and compelled the inhabitants to work at the fortifications, as he designed to establish a barrier between Bristol and Peterborough, and to cut off supplies from the metropolis. Of his movements as governor we are only informed, that he retaliated the plunder of Bromham upon his enemy's house at Hawnes, and apprehended some committeemen at Ampthill, but his seasonable presence enabled the royalists in Bedfordshire to collect their scattered forces and to hold a commission of array at Shesford. These proceedings excited great apprehensions in the parliament, who determined to recover a spot, in Needham's phrase, “geometrically situated for the defence of the associated counties ;" and committed this affair to the Earl of Essex, supported by Sir Samuel Luke and others. The troops halted at Dunstaple on Monday, (October 30), and on the Saturday proceeded by way of Brickhill to Newport, which after some resistance they entered in the evening. The governor, Sir Lewis, does not appear to have neglected his trust: he fortified the town, and encouraged his soldiers by reports of a disaffection among the trained bands, till, finding his means unequal to the object, he quitted the post, and retired to the court at Oxford. Several engagements took place in the neighbourhood, all tending to confirm the measures of the parliament, at Towcester, Stoney-Stratford, Alderton, Olney, and finally before Newport, when Sir Charles Lucas was repulsed by the Earl, who left it in December, and a solemn thanksgiving was held in Cornhill (January 19,) for the return of the green and orange regiments. The date of Sir Samuel's appointment as governor of Newport Pagnell does not appear; but we soon find him acting in his situation; and December 11, the sum of £1000 a month was voted for the support of the garrison. Having provided for security at home, Sir Samuel commenced operations by attacking the neighbouring forts; Grafton and Hillesdon were taken by storm, and a body of royalists under Sir John Fortescue was surprised at Islip; on the other hand, the Earl of Cleveland maintained a station at Stony-Stratford, defeated the rebels in sight of Newport, and repelled an attack upon his own quarters, where however he did not long continue. In the mean time the king who had been at Aylesbury, passed through Stratford to Woburn, where he reposed at "Bedford House;" on his departure in July, Brown and Waller followed him with 200 of Sir Samuel's dragoons, but were foiled, owing to his superiority in cavalry. - From curious notices in the Diurnals, we learn that remittances to the garrison were irregular, in proportion to the demand. Complaints were made that the establishment was in great want of men and money, through the neglect of the associated counties; supplies were granted, and several vigorous movements undertaken in consequence under Lydcot and Ennes. During these transactions we hear nothing of Sir Samuel, who was preparing to resign his post, pursuant to the self denying ordinance. The townsmen petitioned that Cockayne of Hatley, might succeed him, but on the king's advance requested his continuance, and his term was accordingly prolonged. On the 7th June, 1645, after the receipt of two letters from Sir Samuel, stating that the king was at Harborough, and was expected to march apon Newport, General Fairfax repaired to that place, and on the 7th June rested at Sherington, whence he dispatched letters to both Houses requesting the assistance of Cromwell. The battle of Naseby followed, and Sir Samuel, with his usual vigilance scoured the country in search of fugitives, whom he forwarded to London on the 16th. His prolonged commission expired on the 30th, and after some discussion D'Oyley, life guard to Fairfax, a native of Turville in the county, was appointed, and an act passed for remodelling the garrison. Having retired from active service, Luke applied for his arrears, which after some delay were granted, January 12, 1647-8, amounting to £4000, to be paid out of such forfeited estates as he should name; and although his party was declining, he had still interest enough to be appointed with his father a commissioner of the standing army ordinance. He is supposed to have led a retired life at Cople, where he was solemnly arrested in August, upon some information, and carried before Fairfax at Colnbrook, but speedily dismissed. In the following June it was under consideration to reinstate him at Newport, that he might defend or awe the associated counties, on the seizure of Pontefract by the gallant Morris, but without anything being done. Cautious as his behaviour appears to have been, he was considered dangerous by the new ascendancy, and secluded with several other members December 6, but obtained his liberty on the 19th by an order of parliament, and was thenceforth unnoticed, his name not even appearing (in 1650) in the list of county magistrates. On the remodelling of the militia, previous to the Restoration, Sir Samuel's merit was too conspicuous to be overlooked by the council, who gave him a colonelcy of foot, with a captaincy of horse, and inserted the name of his son Oliver in the commission of assessment. On the summoning a new parliament, he was again returned for Bedford, and his name occurs in several committees. At its close he retired from public life, but the last years of his career must have been embittered by the satire in which he makes so conspicuous a figure. An obscure poet suddenly came upon the stage, in his immortal production, suggested by the inimitable Don Quixote, it was intended to pass a general satire on those times of anarchy and confusion, and its leading aim was to expose by ridicule the religious and political principles of the Puritans, as they appeared after the civil war, which overthrew church and state in the reign of Charles I. The opposition were described in two characters, each the representative of a party, under the names of Hudibras and Ralpho. To complete the resemblance, it was necessary to introduce some noted individual, he selected therefore certain peculiarities in the person and incidents in the life of Sir Samuel Luke, at the same time marking the name unequivocally, as appears by the following lines : "Tis sung, there is a valiant Mameluke In foreign land, yclip't (Sir Samuel Luke,) And in the same cause both have fought. The name of Sir Samuel Luke, which we have inserted, exactly supplies the deficiency in the second line, if the two syllables in Samuel be melted into one; and the comparisons Hudibras makes between himself and that knight, seem to justify the supposition. But what tends further to con |