Lytton, Rowland, Sir (1562 -1615)

Sir Rowland Lytton of Knebworth in Hertfordshire was the son of Rowland Lytton of Knebworth, Governor of Boulogne, and his second wife Anne, daughter of John Carleton of Brightwell Baldwin in Oxfordshire. He was admitted to Caius College Cambridge in 1576 and Gray’s Inn 1579. He succeeded his father in 1582. He was Lord Lieutenant for Hertfordshire, a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Musters by 1588, Sheriff 1594, and Member of Parliament for Truro 1597-1604. A friend of Sir Thomas Bodley, William Camden and Henry Savile, he served with distinction as a Voluntary Gentleman in the Earl of Essex’s cavalry in the Dutch war of 1585-1586, and was commended to the Queen by the Earl of Leicester. He brought a company of foot to Tilbury Camp in 1588. In 1603 he was knighted by James I. He married Anne daughter of Oliver St John, 1st Lord Bletso and widow of Robert Corbet. He died in 1616 and was succeeded by his only surviving son William.