Biography of Robert Sawyer 1633-1692
In 1633 Robert Sawyer was born to Edmund Sawyer of Heywood Lodge in White Waltham in Berkshire. He was educated at Magdalene College aka Buckingham, Cambridge University where he was a contemporary of Samuel Pepys.
After 1633 Robert Sawyer and Margaret Suckeley were married.
Pepy's Diary. 06 Dec 1667. So home, and there to dinner, and after dinner abroad with my wife and girle, set them down at Unthanke's, and I to White Hall to the Council chamber, where I was summoned about the business of paying of the seamen, where I heard my Lord Anglesey (age 53) put to it by Sir W. Coventry (age 39) before the King (age 37) for altering the course set by the Council; which he like a wise man did answer in few words, that he had already sent to alter it according to the Council's method, and so stopped it, whereas many words would have set the Commissioners of the Treasury on fire, who, I perceive, were prepared for it. Here I heard Mr. Gawden speak to the King (age 37) and Council upon some business of his before them, but did it so well, in so good words and to the purpose, that I could never have expected from a man of no greater learning. So went away, and in the Lobby met Mr. Sawyer (age 34), my old chamber fellow, and stayed and had an hour's discourse of old things with him, and I perceive he do very well in the world, and is married he tells me and hath a child.
In 1673 Robert Sawyer (age 40) was elected MP High Wycombe.
In 1678 Robert Sawyer (age 45) was elected Speaker of the House of Commons but resigned a month later due to health.
Before 21 Jul 1683 Robert Sawyer (age 50) prosecuted members of the Rye House Plot.
In 1684 [his son-in-law] Thomas Herbert 8th Earl Pembroke 5th Earl Montgomery (age 28) and [his daughter] Margaret Sawyer Countess Pembroke and Montgomery were married. She by marriage Countess Pembroke, Countess Montgomery. He the son of Philip Herbert 5th Earl Pembroke 2nd Earl Montgomery and Catherine Villiers Countess Pembroke and Montgomery.
In 1685, following his accession, King James II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 51) had Titus Oates (age 35) retried. He was found guilty of perjury on two separate indictments.
His sentence read ... First, The Court does order for a fine, that you pay 1000 marks upon each Indictment. Secondly, That you be stript of all your Canonical Habits. Thirdly, the Court does award, That you do stand upon the Pillory, and in the Pillory, here before Westminster-hall gate, upon Monday next, for an hour's time, between the hours of 10 and 12; with a paper over your head (which you must first walk with round about to all the Courts in Westminister-hall) declaring your crime. And that is upon the first Indictment.
Fourthly, (on the Second Indictment), upon Tuesday, you shall stand upon, and in the Pillory, at the Royal Exchange in London, for the space of an hour, between the hours of twelve and two; with the same inscription. You shall upon the next Wednesday be whipped from Aldgate to Newgate. Upon Friday, you shall be whipped from Newgate to Tyburn [Map], by the hands of the common hangman.
According to his sentence, Oates was to stand every year of his life in the pillory on five different days: before the gate of Westminster Hall on the 9th of August, at Charing Cross on the 10th, at the Temple on the 11th, at the Royal Exchange on the 2nd of September, and at Tyburn [Map] on the 24th of April; but, fortunately for the infamous creature, the Revolution deprived his determined enemies of power, and turned the criminal into a pensioner on Government."
The presiding judge was George "Hanging Judge" Jeffreys 1st Baron Jeffreys (age 39). Robert Sawyer (age 52) acted for the prosecution.
On 29 Jun 1688 the seven bishops were tried at the King's Bench. Robert Sawyer (age 55) acted for the defence. They were found not guilty. Their acquittal resulted in wild celebrations throughout London
In 1689 Robert Sawyer (age 56) was elected MP Cambridge University.
In 1690 Robert Sawyer (age 57) was elected MP Cambridge University.
In 30 Jul 1692 Robert Sawyer (age 59) died at his home Highclere Castle.
[his daughter] Margaret Sawyer Countess Pembroke and Montgomery was born to Robert Sawyer.
