Francis Hastings

Who was Francis Hastings?

Sir Francis Hastings was an English Puritan politician.

He was the fifth and youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Huntingdon. His older brothers were Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon and George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon.

He sat as Member of Parliament for Leicestershire, Somerset and Bridgwater. He also served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1572 and 1581. He was knighted around 1589.

He built North Cadbury Court in North Cadbury, Somerset in 1581, where he died in 1610. He had married in 1569 Lady Maud Vernon, daughter of Sir Ralph Longford and widow of Sir George Vernon. After her death he had married Mary Watkins.

He wrote a number of religious pamphlets in the Puritan cause.