Background
Cooke was the son of William Cooke of Westminster, also a Member of Parliament and younger son of Sir Anthony Cooke of Gidea Hall (Essex). His mother, Frances Grey, was first-cousin to Lady Jane Grey and granddaughter to Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset and Anthony Browne, Viscount Montagu. His father had the post of Clerk of Liveries in the Court of Wards and arranged for the post to be passed on to his son.
He became Clerk of Liveries on the death of his father in 1589, though he was only 17.
Education
Cooke was educated at Shrewsbury School in 1583.
Career
He was admitted at Grey"s Inn in 1592. In 1593, he went abroad, with a two-years’ licence to travel after his mother"s unsuccessful attempt to arrange a marriage for him while he was a minor. By 1596 he was Justice of the Peace for Hertfordshire.
Cecil"s influence may have secured him seats in Parliament.
By January 1599, he was purveyor to the stable and had sufficient property to offer himself, with six men and horses, for the Queen's service. In 1601 he was elected Member of Parliament for Westminster.
He was knighted at Theobalds on 7 May 1603. In 1604, he was elected Member of Parliament for Wigan.
He enhanced his estates by purchasing further land in and around Gloucester, and also owned Ribbesford Manor and other property in Worcestershire.
In the reign of James I he was keeper of the lodge and herbage of Hartwell Park, Northamptonshire. By 1605, he was Justice of the Peace for Gloucestershire. He was steward of the manor of Bury Saint Edmunds by 1614.
In 1614 he was elected Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire.
Cooke died at the age 45 and the clerkship of the liveries, which had become ‘quasi-hereditary’, stayed in his family.
Membership
Addled Parliament]
In 1597, he was elected Member of Parliament for Helston.
