Thomas Freke (died 1633)
Sir Thomas Freke (1563–1633) was an English merchant adventurer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1584 and 1626. He was the eldest son of Robert Freke of Iwerne Courtney and his wife, Alice Swayne. His father worked as teller of the Exchequer and surveyor for Dorset.
Freke was elected Member of Parliament for Dorchester in 1584. He inherited his father’s position in 1592 and became a justice of the peace for Dorset. He served as High Sheriff of Dorset from 1597 to 1598 and was knighted in 1603. He acted as Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset for about 30 years and was a respected local leader. He and his son owned the ship Leopold of Weymouth, one of Dorset’s largest privateers.
In 1604 he was elected MP for Dorset. In 1607 he joined the King’s council for Virginia. He served again as High Sheriff from 1611 to 1612. In 1612 he joined the council of the Virginia Company. He was elected MP for Dorset again in 1626.
Freke married Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of John Taylor of Burton Bradstock, and they had seven sons and five daughters. Elizabeth died in 1640. His son John Freke was also an MP, and his daughter Alice married Sir George Hastings.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:53 (CET).