Background
He was born the son of Richard Baker of Cranbrook, Kent and was educated for the legal profession in the Inner Temple.
He was born the son of Richard Baker of Cranbrook, Kent and was educated for the legal profession in the Inner Temple.
In 1520 he was under-sheriff of London and in 1526 appointed Recorder of London, which he gave up to be attorney-general of the Duchy of Lancaster. The place where he was said to have turned back became known as Baker"s Cross in Kent. He was knighted in June 1540 but gained no further preferment until 1545, when, having recommended himself to the king by his activity in forwarding a loan in London and other imposts, he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He entered Parliament in 1529 and 1536 as Member of Parliament for London, followed by terms as Member of Parliament for Guildford in 1542 and Lancaster in 1545.
He was then elected to Parliament in 1547 as knight of the shire for Huntingdonshire. He afterwards represented Bramber (1553) and the county of Kent (1554, 1555 and 1558).
He died in London from a short illness in December 1558 less than a month after the death of Queen Mary.
English Reformation Parliament.