Sandys , Sir , Edwin , 1561-1629 , Knight , statesman

Sir Edwin Sandys (1561-1629) was Prebendary of York from 1582-1602, and MP for Andover, 1586, and Plympton, 1589 and 1593. He travelled abroad with Archbishop Cramner, where he wrote 'Europae Speculum' (1599), which was piratically published as A Relation of the state of religion; and with what hopes and policies it hath beene framed and is maintained in the severall states of these westerne parts of the world, (S Waterson, London, 1605). On his return to England in 1603, Sandys was knighted, became MP for Stockbridge, and assumed a leading position in the House of Commons. He was later MP for Sandwich, 1621, Kent, 1624, and Penryn, 1625 and 1626. In addition, Sandys was deeply involved in the colonisation and government of Virginia, acting as joint Manager, 1617, and Treasurer, 1619-1620, of the Virginia Company. Sandys died in 1629.