BROMLEY, William (1656-1707), of Holt Castle, Worcs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Dec. 1701
1705 - 5 Aug. 1707

Family and Education

b. 26 June 1656, 2nd but o. surv. s. of Henry Bromley educ. Christ Church, Oxf. 1673; M. Temple 1674. m. lic. 25 Apr. 1676, Margaret (d. 12 Aug. 1707), da. and coh. of Sir Rowland Berkeley of Cotheridge, 3da. suc. fa. 1670.1

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Worcs. 1677-80, Worcs. and Worcester 1689-90; freeman, Worcester 1681; j.p. Worcs. 1681-d., dep. lt. 1685-d., capt. of militia horse by 1697-?d.2

Biography

Bromley probably owed his nominations to the commission of the peace and to the lieutenancy, as well as his return for Worcester, five miles from Holt Castle, to his father-in-law. However, their politics soon diverged. Bromley was appointed to no committees in James II’s Parliament, but included among the Worcestershire Members in opposition. In 1688 the lord lieutenant found him doubtful about the repeal of the Tests and Penal Laws, and reluctant to promise his vote before hearing the debate in the House. He was already committed to the Whig Sir James Rushout for the county election. He was allowed to retain local office, and in September he was described to the King’s electoral agents as ‘a discreet and moderate man, and an enemy to persecution’, with a good interest at Worcester. The regulator Brent recommended him as sheriff in place of Richard Dowdeswell II. But at the Revolution he took possession of Worcester, together with Thomas Foley II, for the Protestant cause, and was duly returned to the Convention. A moderately active Member, he acted as teller for the adjournment on 8 Feb. 1689, and was appointed to 12 committees, of which the most important were to recommend alterations in the coronation oath and to consider the suspension of habeas corpus. He supported the disabling clause in the bill to restore corporations, and remained a Court Whig under William III and Anne. He died on 5 Aug. 1707, the last of the Worcestershire Bromleys to sit in Parliament.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Edward Rowlands

Notes

  • 1. Vis. Worcs. ed. Metcalfe, 25; The Gen. vii. 89; Collins, Peerage, vii. 255.
  • 2. Worcester chamber order bk. 1679-1721, f. 97; Eg. 1626, f. 52.
  • 3. HMC 7th Rep. 409; R. Morrice, Entering Bk. 2, p. 243.