Individual Details

Sir Richard Baker (c.1568–1645) was the eldest son of John Baker of London and his first wife, Catherine, daughter of Reginald Scott of Scot’s Hall near Ashford, Kent. Born into a well‑connected Kentish family, he entered Hart Hall, Oxford, in 1584 and later traveled abroad before settling in London to study law.
Baker pursued a political career, serving as Member of Parliament first for Arundel and later for East Grinstead. His service earned him a knighthood from King James I in 1603. He succeeded his father in 1606 and, after 1620, married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Mainwaring of Ightfield, Salop, with whom he had at least two sons and three daughters. He also held the office of High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1620–21.
Although he began life with advantages, Baker’s fortunes declined dramatically. After becoming surety for significant debts owed by his wife’s family, he fell into poverty and was eventually committed as a debtor to the Fleet Prison. During his imprisonment he turned to writing, producing several works. His most famous, A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the time of the Romans’ Government unto the death of King James, became widely read but was regarded as historically unreliable. He also wrote a defence of the theatre against the Puritan critic William Prynne and a discourse on Tacitus.
Sir Richard Baker remained in the Fleet Prison until his death on 18 February 1645. He was buried nearby in St. Bride’s Church on Fleet Street.

Birth	7 Jan 1568	Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent, England
Christen	20 Apr 1568	Canterbury St Mary North Gate, Canterbury, Kent, England
Marriage	Abt 1600	Shropshire, England - Margaret Mainwaring
Title (Nobility)	May 1603	Knight - Highgate, Middlesex, England
Occupation	1620	High Sheriff Age 52 - Oxfordshire, England
Burial	Feb 1645	St Bride's Church Fleet Street, London, England, United Kingdom
Death	18 Feb 1645	St Bride's Church Fleet Street, London, England, United Kingdom

Spouse	Margaret Mainwaring (1572 - 1659)
Child	Joyce Baker (1602 - 1680)

Father	John Baker (1525 - 1606)
Mother	Katherine Scott (1532 - 1596)