Sir Bourchier Wrey, 4th Baronet

Sir Bourchier Wrey, 4th Baronet (1653–1696) was an English duellist and Member of Parliament. He commanded a regiment of horse after the Restoration, serving under the Duke of Monmouth.

Political career

Wrey was M.P. for Liskeard from 1678 to 1679, was returned for the county of Devon 1685, and sat for Liskeard again 1689 to 1696.

Duels

He fought a duel with Thomas Bulkeley, M.P. for Beaumaris, in Hyde Park on 4 Feb. 1691–2, in which Luttrell notes that of the six men engaged as principals and seconds five were M.P.s. Two of the seconds were slightly wounded.

In May 1694 he fought another duel with James Praed of Trevethowe, M.P. for St. Ives, at Falmouth, and ‘was run through the body, Mr. Praed being only hurt slightly in the face.’ On 1 June he was reported dead of his wound, but lived until 21 July 1696, when Luttrell notes that Sir Bourchier Wrey and Captain Pitts, both M.P.s, are dead. He was buried in Tawstock church.

Personal

Wrey was the son of Sir Chichester Wrey, second baronet, by Anne, widow of Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex, and daughter and coheiress of Edward Bourchier, Fourth Earl of Bath (d. 1636). The Wreys had lived for generations at Trebigh, Cornwall, but by the marriage of Sir Chichester with Lady Anne they became possessors of Tawstock, thenceforth the family seat. He married Florence, daughter of Sir John Rolle.

See also

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Wrey, Bourchier (d.1696) (DNB00)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.