Robert Brooke Sr.

[5] Robert and his ten siblings were orphaned in 1612 and were given into the care of their uncle Richard Venables, who managed the Brooke children's finances and saw to their education.

[7] He was made vicar of Laugharne with Llansadwrnen in the diocese of St. David's on November 21, 1637 under the direct patronage of Charles I,[8] who in concert with William Laud sought to promote clergymen supporting the philosophy of Divine Right.

If Brooke wrote in support of the king in matters of theology, it does not appear his writings have survived, but his posting in Wales is likely due to the influence of his father-in-law Roger Mainwaring, an outspoken proponent for concepts of Divine Right, who was made Bishop of St. David's the year prior in 1636, an appointment Laud had held himself along his path to Archbishop of Canterbury.

Robert Brooke would not serve in the Anglican Church after his arrival in Maryland, and in fact he and his family would convert to Catholicism prior to his death in 1655.

Brooke is said to have departed from Chester (June 1650) aboard his own ships and at his own expense, along with his wife, ten children, 28 servants, and a pack of hounds.

Later he reconciled with Lord Baltimore, allied himself with the conservative Catholic Party, and he and his family converted to Catholicism prior to his death.