CAMPION, William (1549-1615), of London; later of Goudhurst, Kent.

Campion’s career is obscure. His association with well-known members of the legal profession suggests that he was at one time a practising lawyer. One colleague at Lincoln’s Inn was Christopher Rithe, who sat for Haslemere in 1584. Perhaps Rithe was responsible for Campion’s nomination. No other explanation has been found for his representing this recently enfranchised borough. He had no interests in this part of Surrey and eventually settled in Kent, purchasing the estate of Combwell, Goudhurst from Sir Alexander Colepepper. He died 10 Dec. 1615, his heir and executor being the future Sir William Campion. Sir Robert Gardiner, a brother-in-law, and Sir Robert Houghton, both well-known lawyers, acted as overseers to the will, proved on 29 Jan. 1616.1Vis. Kent (Harl. Soc. xlii), 95; PCC 13 Leicester, 5 Cope; Misc. Gen. et Her. ii. 261-3; Vis. Surr. (Harl. Soc. xliii), 202.