Edward Darcy

Sir Edward Darcy (Darcey, Darsey; 1543/1544 – 28 October 1612) was an English politician and courtier. His monopoly by way of having a wide patent on playing cards was declared illegal in 1602. He has an alternative title: Sir Edward Darcy/Darcey/Darsey of Stainforth, West Riding of Yorkshire. Background and career Darcy was the eldest son of Mary Carew (daughter of Sir Nicholas Carew) and of Sir Arthur Darcy (the son of Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy of Darcy). He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge before being admitted to the Inner Temple in 1561. He was a Member of Parliament for Truro, Cornwall from 1584 to 1585. In 1579 he was a groom of the Privy Chamber to Elizabeth I. In 1589 the Queen granted the reversion of the manors of Epsom and Ashtead to him as Sir Francis Carew's nephew, which matured in 1612 on the latter's death. In 1595 he received the manor of Stainforth Underbargh and 20 dwelling houses with lands there.