Background
Hicks was the son of Robert Hicks, a wealthy mercer of Cheapside, London, and grandson of John Hicks of Tortworth. He was brought up in his father"s business and imported rich silks from Italy and other foreign places.
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Baptist Campden
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Career
Having made large loans to the Crown and to prominent courtiers, he was knighted on 23 July 1603, soon after the accession of James I. He was one of the first citizens who kept a shop to continue in trade once knighted. He was in dispute with the Court of Aldermen of the City of London because he was unwilling to serve as an alderman, and got the king to direct that he be excused as a "king"s servant". He purchased the manor of Campden soon after 1608 and built a large mansion there near the church.
(The house was burnt down by Royalists in the Civil War and only two pavilions remain).
In 1612 he founded and endowed an almshouse for 6 poor men and 6 poor women in Chipping Campden, and in 1627 built a market hall there (both buildings still stand). He performed many other charitable acts, in his life giving £100,000 for charity.
He was created a baronet on 1 July 1620. In 1624 he was elected Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury.
He was re-elected Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury in 1625.
Hicks became a Justice of the Peace for Gloucestershire in 1625 and a Deputy Lieutenant for Middlesex on 23 March 1625. He was re-elected Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury in 1626 and 1628. Hicks died at the age of 78 and is buried under a splendid classical monument in Chipping Campden church.
Juliana married Edward Lord Noel, who became 2nd Viscount Campden
Mary married firstly Sir Charles Morrison, 1st Baronet of Cashiobury, secondly Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet and thirdly Sir Edward Alford.
Membership
Useless Parliament; Happy Parliament. 2nd Parliament of King Charles I]
In 1621, Hicks was elected Member of Parliament for Tavistock.
