DODINGTON, Herbert (c.1600-1632), of Breamore and Somerley, Hants.

Following the early death of his eldest brother in 1624, Dodington, as his father’s heir, was appointed an officer of the local militia, and stood for Lymington at the 1625 general election. Hants RO, 27M74A/DBC1, p. 137. Although he failed to take the seat, he proved more successful at the next election, when he was also returned for Downton on his father’s interest. After opting for the Hampshire borough on 9 Feb. 1626, Procs. 1626, ii. 7. he left no further trace on the parliamentary records. Dodington was excused from contributing to the Forced Loan in 1627 as he was not yet a landowner. J. Stevens, St. Mary Bourne, 257. Re-elected in 1628, he was noted as absent on 9 Apr. because of his father’s sickness, and excused from the call of the House. CD 1628, ii. 375. In fact he seems to have been away courting a Somerset heiress. As part of his marriage settlement in the following month his father gave him the manor of Somerley, which he made his main residence, and other lands in Hampshire and Monmouthshire. VCH Hants, iv. 562, 601, 605-6. In addition he leased Cranborne, Dorset from the 2nd earl of Salisbury (William Cecil*), and Cardiff Castle from the 3rd earl of Pembroke. WARD 7/85/182.

Dodington successfully claimed exemption from knighthood composition on the grounds that at the Coronation he had not held lands worth £40 p.a. Add. 21922, ff. 179v, 183. He died on 27 June 1632, having made a brief nuncupative will, without preamble, leaving £40 to his father, £600 to his three sisters, £200 and £50 respectively to his brothers Edward and John, and £200 to a niece. Three servants received a total of £220, and the poor £100. PROB 11/165, ff. 516v-17. His widow married John Coventry†.