Definition
Edward Drew was an English lawyer, politician, and judge who served in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Overview
Edward Drew (circa 1542 – 1621) was a prominent legal figure in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. He practiced as a barrister, was elected to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament (MP) for several constituencies, and later was appointed a judge of the Court of King's Bench. Drew was also a landowner in Devon, where he held various local offices, including that of High Sheriff.
Etymology/Origin
The given name Edward derives from the Old English Ēadweard, meaning “wealth‑guardian” (ēad “wealth, prosperity” + weard “guardian, protector”). The surname Drew is of Anglo‑Norman origin, a variant of Dru or Drue, which may have been a patronymic derived from the personal name Drew or a locational name from places such as Drew in Devon.
Characteristics
- Legal career: Drew entered Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court in London, where he was called to the bar. He gained a reputation for expertise in civil law and was involved in several high‑profile cases of his time.
- Parliamentary service: He represented the borough of Grampound (Cornwall) in the Parliament of 1586 and later served as MP for Plympton Erle (Devon) in the 1589 and 1593 sessions. His parliamentary activity focused on legal reforms and the interests of the Devonshire gentry.
- Judicial appointment: In 1605, Drew was appointed a Justice of the Court of King's Bench, the senior common law court in England. He served in this capacity until his death, participating in the adjudication of both criminal and civil matters.
- Landholdings and local roles: Drew owned estates in Devon, notably at Sandford in the parish of St Budeaux. He held the office of High Sheriff of Devon in 1594, a position that combined judicial, administrative, and ceremonial duties.
Related Topics
- English legal history – The evolution of the common law system and the role of the Court of King's Bench.
- Parliament of England (16th century) – Structure, electoral practices, and legislative activity during the Tudor period.
- Lincoln’s Inn – One of the four Inns of Court responsible for the training and qualification of barristers.
- Devon gentry – Social and political influence of landed families in southwestern England during the early modern era.
Note: While the principal biographical details of Edward Drew’s life and career are documented in historical records, some specific dates and parliamentary constituencies are drawn from contemporary sources and may be subject to further scholarly verification.