Family and Education

b. c.1545,1 1st s. of Sir Thomas Sanders of Charlwood by Alice, da. of Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbury, Kent. educ. I. Temple 1561, called 1574. m. Phillip, da. of Edward Gage of Firle, Suss., 2s. 4da. suc. fa. 1566.

Offices Held

J.p.q. Surr. 1575, Suss. 1583-7; commr. subsidy Surr. 1593.

Biography

Of a minor gentry family resident in Surrey since the fourteenth century, Sanders became a lawyer, in accordance with a desire expressed in his father’s will. He possibly practiced in London after being called to the bar. Through his mother he was related to the elder branch of the Walsingham family. He came nearer than any other Elizabethan to being returned for Reigate through his own local standing, though he was presumably acceptable to the usual borough patrons, the Howards of Effingham. He was on two committees in 1585, dealing with libellers (19 Feb.) and Sussex timber (4 Mar.). On 18 Nov. 1586 he is mentioned as speaking in favour of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, and he was put on the committee considering this matter. He died intestate 20 Jan. 1621.2

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A. M. Mimardière

Notes

• 1. Sanders was 21 in 1566 when licensed (as a ward) to enter on his father’s lands, CPR , iii. 525.
• 2. Vis. Surr. (Harl. Soc. xliii), 18; Cal. I.T. Recs. i. 276; PCC 19 Crymes; Lansd. 35, ff. 135, 136, 137, 152, 158; E163/14/8, f. 38; Surr. Arch. Colls. xix. 45; Manning and Bray, Surr. i. 305; VCH Surr. iii. 185; C142/392/129.