Robert Jenner (MP)


Robert Jenner was an English merchant in the City of London and politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1628 and 1648.

Early life

Robert Jenner was born in 1584. He married Elizabeth Longston, daughter of Thomas Longston, citizen and grocer of London.

Career

Jenner was a citizen and goldsmith of the City of London. By 1627 he acquired the manor of Widhill in Wiltshire. He also acquired the manor of Eysey.

Politics

In 1628, Jenner was elected Member of Parliament for Cricklade and sat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years. In April 1640, he was re-elected MP for Cricklade in the Short Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Cricklade in November 1640 for the Long Parliament, and held the seat until he was excluded under Pride's Purge in 1648. Jenner was in favour of taking a milder course with Charles I at the end of the Civil War, and was reprimanded by Oliver Cromwell for his tenderness. In 1648 he acquired the manor of Marston Meysey.

Death and legacy

Jenner died at the age of 67 and was buried in Cricklade St Sampson’s Church. He left money for eight almshouses in Malmesbury and for the building and maintenance of a free school at Cricklade. In 1652 Jenner's School was built backing onto St Sampson's Churchyard. Later the building became the parish workhouse before going back into use as a school until 1959. It became the Cricklade parish hall and was renamed the Jenner Hall.