Sir Alexander Temple (bapt. 9 February 1582 OS (1583 NS) – 1629) was an English landowner and Member of Parliament. He was born at Stowe House in 1583 and knighted in 1603. During his life he held many public offices, including justice of the peace and MP for Sussex. He was buried in Rochester Cathedral where there was a memorial to him which is now lost.
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Family
Temple was born at Stowe House, the fourth son of John Temple and Susan Spencer) and was baptised on 9 February 1582 OS. He was the brother of Sir Thomas Temple and the brother-in-law of Viscount Saye and Sele.
In 1602 he married Mary Penistone (née Sommer or Somers, a daughter of John Somers), of Rochester Kent. They had three children:
John, killed at the Isle of Rhe;
James Temple, the regicide;
Susan or Susanna Temple who is often said to have been maid of honour to Anne of Denmark although she is not known to be named in any records of the court. She married (1) Sir Gifford Thornhurst of Agney Court, Kent, and (2) Sir Martin Lister. Through her first marriage, Susan was grandmother of Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough. Her portrait was painted by Cornelius Johnson.
As a result of this marriage, Temple gained four step children including Sir Thomas Penistone