Robert Brooke

Robert Brooke was one of two Members of the Parliament of England for the constituency of York between 1584 and 1586 and also between 1586 and 1588.

Life and politics Robert was born in 1531 in Hunslet. His father was also named Robert. He married Jane, daughter of Christopher Maltby of Thornton in Pickering. They had seven sons and five daughters. His children were Christopher, Arthur, Henry, Robert, John, Samuel, Stephen, Sara, Susanna, Mary, Elizabeth and Jane. Robert's daughter Jane married Thomas Hesketh of Heslington Hall.

Robert became chamberlain of the city in 1565. In 1574 he was elected sheriff of York. He became an alderman on the ninth of March 1579 after the death of John Dynely. He became Lord mayor of the city in 1582 and again in 1595. Throughout this time he was a member of the common council. He was chosen for several commissions by the city, Parliament and the Crown. The city asked him, among others, to retrieve the city's play books in 1575. The Crown commissioned him to seek out Catholic priests in 1578. He was chosen to be MP for the city in 1584 and again in 1586.

Robert, like his brother Percival, was a merchant by trade and used his wealth to buy property in the city, becoming one of the wealthiest men there. He acquired tenements in Nessgate, Haymonger Lane, Walmgate and Fishergate as well as other lands outside the city.

Robert died in 1599 and was buried in the chancel of All Saints' Church in the Pavement.