Sir Matthew BROWNE of Beechworth

Born: 1574 Beechworth, Surrey, England

Died: 4 Aug 1603, Darking, Surrey, England

Father: Thomas BROWNE (Sir)

Mother: Mabel FITZWILLIAM

Married: Jane VINCENT (dau. of Sir Thomas Vincent)

Children:

1. Henry (Thomas) BROWNE

2. Jane BROWNE

3. Ambrose BROWNE (1° Bt. of Beechworth)

4. Anne BROWNE

5. Edward BROWNE

6. Mabel BROWNE

The details in this biography come from the History of Parliament, a biographical dictionary of Members of the House of Commons.

First son of Thomas Browne of Betchworth Castle by his first wife, Mabel, dau. and coh. of Sir William Fitzwilliam. Educ. Magdalen Coll. Oxf. 1576; I. Temple 1582. Married Jane, dau. of Sir Thomas Vincent of Stoke D’Abernon, 3s. 2da. Kntd. 1596; suc. fa. 1597.

An important connexion throughout Browne’s brief career was Charles Howard, the lord admiral, in whose expedition to Cadiz Browne served, being knighted there by the Earl of Essex. In 1600 he was appointed one of Howard’s deputy lieutenants in Surrey, which may have helped him to secure his return to Parliament for Gatton in the following year. He sat on the main business committee, 3 Nov 1601.

A duel in the summer of 1603 with Sir John Townshend resulted in the death of both parties. Browne, whose estate included the honour of Gloucester, as well as the Surrey manors of Dorking, Capel, Mickleham and Betchworth, left a 12 year-old heir. The executors of the will, proved only in 1608, were Sir William Mynne and a cousin, Thomas Browne.

Vis. Surr. (Harl. Soc. xliii), 10; HMC 7th Rep. 659; APC, xxxi. 12; D’Ewes, 624; PCC 33 Windebanck; Manning and Bray, Surr. i. 558.

Sources:

H.G.O.: BROWNE, Sir Matthew (1563-1603), of Betchworth Castle, Surr.

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