Sir Robert De Hungerford

Sir Robert De Hungerford was the first of his family who came to prominence. He sat in Parliament as MP for Wiltshire nine times between 1324 and 1339.

His family were living in the town after which they were named as early as 1165. As the eldest son Sir Robert Hungerford inherited the lands in Hungerford, and is thought to have lived at Standen Manor in the south of the parish. In 1313, he was appointed bailiff for the Duchy of Lancaster in Berkshire and Wiltshire. In 1322, he was made keeper of the southern lands of the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford who had been executed for arranging the murder of the King’s favourite, Piers Gaveston. Sir Robert was also recorded as a commissioner to inquire into the possessions of the Despensers after their attainder in 1328. His importance is also seen from the fact that he sat in Parliament as MP for Wiltshire nine times between 1324 and 1339.

During his life Sir Robert gave much to religious foundations. After his death in 1352, Sir Robert was buried in his chantry in Hungerford Church. HE was married twice but he left no issue, and his lands were left to his younger brother Walter.