Family and Education

2nd but 1st surv. s. of Robert Lougher by Elizabeth, da. and coh. of John Rastell. educ. St. Mary Hall, Oxf., BA 1594; M. Temple 1594. m. (1) 1606, Frances, wid. of Sir Thomas Smith, s.p.; (2) Mary (d.1647) da. of (Sir) Edward Fitton^† of Gawsworth, Cheshire, wid. of William Polwhele, 1da.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Pemb. 1626-7.

Biography

Lougher’s home town formed one of the contributory boroughs of the Pembroke group. He served with his father in some legal capacity in the northern high commission court at York, where his name first appears in the records on 7 Sept. 1580. During James I’s reign he was twice complainant in Star Chamber suits. His first wife was, in 1607, described as ‘a weak and aged gentlewoman’. His second was the maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth who became mistress to William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and one of the candidates for the ‘dark lady’ of the sonnets. The Loughers and the Shakespeares were distantly connected, even before John Lougher’s nephew married a cousin of the poet. Though sometimes described as ‘captain’, no record of any military service by Lougher has come to light. He died intestate 8 Jan. 1636, administration being granted to his widow 20 May 1636. She died in 1647 and was buried beside him in Gawsworth parish church.1

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A.H.D.

Notes

Information in this biography has been supplied by Mr. W. H. Gill, a descendant of the Lougher family.

• 1. Dwnn, Vis. Wales, i. 121; Harl. 4181, f. 45; Williams, Welsh Judges, 162-3; Star Chamber, ed. Edwards (Univ. Wales Bd. of Celtic Studies, Hist. and law ser. i), 209-10; St. Ch. 8/205/31; northern high commission act bk. 1580-5, f. 34; Gawsworth par. reg.; PCC admon. act bk. 1634-6, f. 170; 1636-8, f. 17.