Herbert Croft (died 1629)

Sir Herbert Croft (1565 – 1 April 1629) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1589 and 1614.

Croft was the eldest surviving son of Edward Croft of Croft Castle and his first wife. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. His father was put on his trial in 1589 on the charge of having contrived the death of the Earl of Leicester by witchcraft and went into exile. In 1589 Croft was elected Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire. He was a J.P. for Carmarthenshire and for Herefordshire from 1591 and for Oxfordshire from about 1592. In about 1592 he became steward of the lordships of Kerry, Kedewen and Montgomery, Montontgomeryshire and was steward of crown lands in Herefordshire from October 1592.

In 1593 Croft was elected MP for Herefordshire. He succeeded his grandfather James Croft to the family estates in 1863. In 1597 he was elected MP for Launceston and became Deputy Lieutenant. He was receiver-general for South Wales from April 1599 to 1604. In 1601 he was elected MP for Herefordshire again. He became a member of the council in the marches of Wales from 1601. He was knighted in 1603. In 1604 he was re-elected MP for Herefordshire. In 1607 he protested about the jurisdiction of the council in the marches over the border shires and this cost him his seat on the council and his positions as JP and Deputy Lieutenant. He was re-elected MP for Herefordshire in 1614. In about 1617, he became a Catholic and a monk at the English Benedictine priory of St Gregory the Great at Douai, where he wrote pamphlets in defence of his new faith.

Croft died at the age of about 63.

Croft married Mary Bourne, daughter of Anthony Bourne of Holt Castle, Worcestershire and had four sons and five daughters. His son Herbert later became Bishop of Hereford.

A daughter Bridget Croft (1608-1694) died unmarried and was buried in Hereford Cathedral. Another daughter, Margery or Margaret Croft (d. 1637) was a lady in waiting to Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. In her will she hoped the queen would settle her debts at The Hague amounting to £100. In London she owed Mr Berry in Paternoster Row for white satin for a waistcoat and mohair for a gown.