COOKE, Richard I (by 1530-79), of Gidea Hall, Essex.

Cooke was returned (at the last minute) to Elizabeth’s first Parliament through the influence of his Cecil relatives. No doubt it was the same interest that secured him a seat at the 2nd Earl of Bedford’s borough of Tavistock in 1563. It is not clear why Cooke’s name is not on the j.p. lists between 1561/2 and 1575. He died on 3 Oct. 1579. By his will, made on 31 July of that year, he left to his wife, the sole executrix, a life interest in Gidea Hall and the residue of his goods. Overseers were Burghley and Cooke’s brother-in-law Lord Russell. The will was proved 17 Nov. 1579.Vis. Essex (Harl. Soc. xiii), 39; Stowe 571, f. 30; LC2/4/1, f. 19; CPR, 1550-3, p. 76; 1553 with App. 1547-53, pp. 39, 385; 1555-7, p. 294; 1559-60, p. 33; HMC Hatfield, i. 140-1; CP, ii. 75-7; Strype, Annals, ii(2), pp. 87-8; C142/189/45; PCC 44 Bakon.