Richard Wenman, 1st Viscount Wenman

Wenman was the eldest son of Thomas Wenman (died 1577) of Thame Park, Oxfordshire, and his wife Jane West, daughter of William West, 1st Baron De La Warr. His father is mistakenly called Richard by Burke.[1] He matriculated at the University of Oxford on 8 December 1587 as 'Mr. Case's scholar.'[2]

Wenman served as a volunteer soldier and behaved with great gallantry when Cadiz was captured in 1596.[2] He was knighted by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, at Cadiz.[3]

Wenman was elected Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire on 20 December 1620, and was elected again in 1625.[4] In 1627 he was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. He was created Baron Wenman of Kilmainham, co. Meath, and Viscount Wenman of Tuam by letters patent, dated 30 July 1628.[2]

Wenman was a patron of the poet William Basse, who dedicated several poems to him, including his collection Clio, describing him as a modern Maecenas,

Never Maecenas bred more nobly true:

And O what virtue more, than life to give

To verse, whereby all other virtues live?

Wenman died on 3 April 1640, and was buried at Twyford on 7 April.[2]

Wenman married four times. His first wife was Agnes Fermor. By her he had two surviving sons, Thomas Wenman, 2nd Viscount Wenman, and Philip (died 20 April 1696), who succeeded as third viscount; and four daughters. After her death, he married Alice Chamberlayne, widow of Robert Chamberlayne and a lady of some wealth, on 4 November 1618 at St. Bartholomew the Great, London. His third wife, Elizabeth, was buried at Twyford on 27 April 1629. His fourth wife was Mary Keble, daughter Thomas Keble of Essex, and she was buried at Twyford on 28 July 1638.[2]