Trenchard, John, Sir (1640 -1695)

Sir John Trenchard was the fourth, but third surviving, son of Thomas Trenchard, of Wolveton, Charminster, Dorset, and Hannah, daughter of Robert Henley, of Bramshill in Hampshire. He was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford, where he matriculated 15 August 1665, the same year he became a probationary Fellow of New College in a civilian's place, but took no degree. He entered the Middle Temple in 1667 and was called to the bar in 1674. He travelled in Spain in 1677. He was elected Member of Parliament for Taunton March and October 1679 and 1681. An ardent anti Catholic, he was arrested in connection with the Rye House plot, but was released for want of evidence. At the outset of Monmouth's Rebellion he rode to Weymouth and took ship to Holland, and was given a pardon by James 17 December 1687. In the Convention he represented Thetford, was knighted by William 29 October 1689, and made one of His Majesty's Serjeants and Chief Justice of Chester. In 1690 he became Member of Parliament for Poole, and in March 1692 was made Secretary of State for the Northern Department. He married, in November 1682, Philippa, daughter of George Speke of White Lackington in Somerset, and sister of the rebel Hugh Speke and they had four sons and three daughters. His library was sold at auction at Mr Board's Coffee House in Ave Mary Lane, possibly by John Nicolson, 25 November 1695.