Anthony Keck (Tiverton MP)

[4] Keck was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1653, called to the bar in 1659, and was elected a bencher (a member of the governing body) in 1677.

During the Popish Plot, he acted as counsel for William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, who was executed for treason in 1680, and made something of a name for himself in cases before the House of Lords.

[1] On 4 March 1689, he was named Commissioner of the Great Seal with Sir John Maynard and Serjeant Rawlinson by the new King William III – these commissioners replaced the notorious Judge Jeffreys as Lord Chancellor, who fled as James II left the country.

Knighted the next day, Keck held office till 14 May 1690: his decision to step down was described as a great act of self-denial.

[1] Roger North wrote that Keck had "raised himself by his wits" and described him as a republican by inclination who would settle in default for a monarchy held in check.

He left property in Drury Lane, Fulham, Hampstead, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to his only son Francis, with provision to lay out £29,000 on further purchases of lands for him.