The son of John Bampfield, of Poltimore in Devon, and brother of Sir John, the first baronet. He was recorder of Exeter, and represented that city in Oliver Cromwell's parliaments of 1654 and 1656. In Richard Cromwell's parliament of 1658 he was again returned for Exeter, and on 16/26 Mar 1659 he was elected acting Speaker during the illness of Chaloner Chute. His tenure of office was brought to a close by the dissolution of 22 Apr/2 May 1659. In the convention parliament of 1660, Bampfield having been returned both for Exeter and Tiverton, chose to sit for his old constituency. He took an active part in the proceedings of this parliament. He opposed the impeachment of Drake for publishing a pamphlet entitled "The Long Parliament revived." On 12/22 Sep 1660 he moved "that the king should be desired to marry, and that it should be to a protestant." After an interesting debate the motion dropped. Bampfield did not sit in the parliament of the followiong year. [1][2] |
