Adrian Stokes

Adrian Stokes (4 March 1519 – 3 November 1585) was an English courtier and politician.

Biography Stokes was probably a younger son of a gentry family from Prestwold, Leicestershire. They had three children, all of whom died in infancy.

Following the accession of Elizabeth I, rumours circulated that the queen would like to marry her master of the horse Robert Dudley, later earl of Leicester in emulation of her cousin and Stokes. In 1564 Stokes was classified by his bishop as a committed Protestant, and he served on local commissions to enforce attendance at church and to discover recusants. The following year Stokes married Anne Carew, daughter of Sir Nicholas Carew and widow of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, an eminent diplomat and politician. By her first marriage Anne was the mother of ten sons and three daughters. Once Stokes was safely remarried, Lady Mary was allowed to live at Beaumanor. Stokes succeeded Throckmorton as keeper of Brigstock park, Northamptonshire. He died in 1585 and was buried in the chapel at Beaumanor.