SHERARD, Bennet (1649-1701), of Whissendine, Rutland

Bennet Sherard’s near decade of parliamentary service was wholly undistinguished. Re-elected knight of the shire for Rutland in 1690, he was classed by Lord Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) as a Whig; Robert Harley* in April 1691 noted him as a Court opponent, but he was identified afterwards by Grascome as a supporter and included in further lists of government supporters in 1694–5. He obtained a grant of three weeks’ leave on 23 Mar. 1695. In January 1696 he was forecast as likely to support the government over the proposed council of trade, signed the Association, and in late March voted with the Court for fixing the price of guineas at 22s. In the next session, on 25 Nov., he voted in favour of the attainder of Sir John Fenwick†. Early in June 1698, the Earl of Nottingham (Daniel Finch†) considered Sherard’s return in the approaching election as likely, but was afterwards instrumental in securing his defeat. An analysis of the parties drawn up in around September 1698 classed him as having been of the Court party. Sherard died in September 1701 and was buried at Whissendine on the 30th.2 BL, Althorp mss, Halifax pprs., Nottingham to Ld. Halifax (William Savile*), 4 June 1698; Vernon–Shrewsbury Letters, ii. 151; Nichols, 342.