BROMLEY, William (1656-1707), of Holt Castle, Worcs.

Bromley probably owed his nominations to the commission of the peace and to the lieutenancy, as well as his return for Worcester, five miles from Holt Castle, to his father-in-law. However, their politics soon diverged. Bromley was appointed to no committees in James II’s Parliament, but included among the Worcestershire Members in opposition. In 1688 the lord lieutenant found him doubtful about the repeal of the Tests and Penal Laws, and reluctant to promise his vote before hearing the debate in the House. He was already committed to the Whig Sir James Rushout for the county election. He was allowed to retain local office, and in September he was described to the King’s electoral agents as ‘a discreet and moderate man, and an enemy to persecution’, with a good interest at Worcester. The regulator Brent recommended him as sheriff in place of Richard Dowdeswell II. But at the Revolution he took possession of Worcester, together with Thomas Foley II, for the Protestant cause, and was duly returned to the Convention. A moderately active Member, he acted as teller for the adjournment on 8 Feb. 1689, and was appointed to 12 committees, of which the most important were to recommend alterations in the coronation oath and to consider the suspension of habeas corpus. He supported the disabling clause in the bill to restore corporations, and remained a Court Whig under William III and Anne. He died on 5 Aug. 1707, the last of the Worcestershire Bromleys to sit in Parliament.3HMC 7th Rep. 409; R. Morrice, Entering Bk. 2, p. 243.