Family and Education

2nd s. of John Digges of Pirton by his w. Elizabeth, of Noddall, Yorks. educ. Oxf. BA 1579; New Inn; L. Inn 1581, called 1589. m. (1) Margaret, da. of Richard Gore of Aldrington, Wilts., 1s. 2da.; (2) Elizabeth, da. of Thomas Waldron.

Offices Held

Of counsel to Marlborough bef. 1603, mayor 1608; bencher, L. Inn and autumn reader 1608, keeper of the Black Bk. 1614, treasurer 1616-17, Lent reader 1619; serjeant-at-law 1623.

Biography

Digges’s grandfather William founded the Wiltshire branch of this family. His elder brother, also William, was married by 1596 to a sister of the financier Lionel Cranfield, later Earl of Middlesex. In November 1590 Digges was employed by Lord Burghley as an Exchequer surveyor, and in 1601 he was one of those whose opinion was sought by the Exchequer on a case concerning the lands of the attainted (Sir) Charles Danvers. As a bencher he played a part in the administration of Lincoln’s Inn, and lent money towards the building of new chambers. Some time before the end of Elizabeth’s reign he became of counsel to his native town, receiving a 40s. annuity. He represented Marlborough in nine Parliaments, and took a prominent part in debate in the 1620s. The Elizabethan parliamentary records mention him only once, as appointed to the committee for the abridging of the penal laws, 8 Nov. 1597. He was buried at Marlborough 26 Jan. 1634.

Wilts. Vis. Peds. (Harl. Soc. cv, cvi), 47; Marlborough Recs. 9, 10; Lansd. 65, f. 170; Townshend, Hist. Colls.103; CSP Dom. 1601-3, p. 56.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: R.C.G.

Notes