DRURY, Sir Anthony (c.1576-1638), of Besthorpe, Norf.

Drury was a fourth generation member of the junior branch of the Buckinghamshire Drurys, who had settled in various parts of Norfolk in the early sixteenth century.17 Campling, passim. Although none of the Besthorpe Drurys were particularly active in national affairs, the family’s high standing locally is reflected in Drury’s father’s service as captain of the Norfolk Light Horse and Drury’s own shrievalty in 1617. Among other local duties, he was ordered in 1624 to help inquire whether fuller’s earth was being shipped overseas from the pits at Alpington and Apton, Norfolk.18 APC, 1623-5, p. 389.

Drury was elected knight of the shire for Norfolk in 1625, but not before a contest in which he and Sir Edward Coke defeated Sir Robert Gawdy and Sir Charles Le Gros*.19 Corresp. Lady Katherine Paston ed. R. Hughey (Norf. Rec. Soc. xiv), 82. He occurs only once in the Parliament’s records, being named to the committee for a bill to mitigate the sentence of excommunication and preserve ecclesiastical jurisdiction (25 June).20 HMC Lords, Addenda, 190. Nothing further is known of Drury, except that he made a nuncupative will on 13 Oct. 1638, died the same day, and was buried at Besthorpe. His heir and executor, the eldest son Sir William, inherited his estates.21 Norf. RO, Norwich consist. ct. Smythe 121. No subsequent member of the Besthorpe Drurys sat in Parliament.