Sir Robert Knollys KB was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.
Background
Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the Queen"s service. He grew up in Rotherfield Greys in Oxfordshire and Reading in Berkshire.
Career
He was Keeper of Syon House and steward of Isleworth in 1577 and usher of Tower mint from 1577 to 1582. From about 1583, he was a Justice of the Peace for Breconshire. He was elected Member of Parliament for Reading again in 1584 and 1586.
In 1587 he became gentleman of the privy chamber.
In 1589 Knollys was elected Member of Parliament for Reading and Breconshire and chose to sit for Breconshire. He became Deputy Lieutenant in 1590 and Custos Rotulorum in about 1592.
In 1593 he was re-elected Member of Parliament for Breconshire. He was elected Member of Parliament for Breconshire again in 1597 and 1601.
By 1603, he was esquire of the body and in July 1603 was awarded Knight of the Bath.
He was re-elected Member of Parliament for Breconshire in 1604. He enjoyed sports and played bowls with the Earl of Shrewsbury. He took part in tilting competitions and was seriously injured in November 1602.
Knollys married Catherine Vaughan, daughter of Rowland Vaughan of Porthamel in Brecknockshire and had two daughters: Frances (sometimes erroneously called Catherine) who married Sir Charles Vaughan and Lettice who married Framlingham Gawdy, the High Sheriff of Norfolk.
Membership
In 1572, he was elected Member of Parliament for Reading.