The Temples were a prominent English family with the estates in Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire, that included the famous manor of Stowe. In 1571 Peter Temple (d. 1578) leased lands in Burton Dassett, Warwickshire and in Stowe and Dadford in Buckinghamshire. His son John Temple (1542-1603) purchased the manor. In 1611 Sir Thomas Temple (1567-1637), purchased baronetsy. The Baronets of Temple represented the borough of Buckingham and the county in the House of Commons and served as the sheriffs and justices of the peace. Sir Peter Temple sat in the last two parliaments of Charles I. Although he supported of the Parliament in the Civil War, he became disillusioned with the cause after the execution of Charles I. He subsequently fell into political disfavor and financial trouble. His son Sir Richard Temple (1634-1697), 3rd Baronet held posts of Council for Foreign Plantations (1671) and Commissioner of Customs (1662-1694) and gradually rebuilt the family fortune. His son Richard, the 4th Bart. fought in Marlborough Flemish campaign and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General by 1710. In 1718 he was created Viscount Cobham (1718) and served as Governor of Jersey (1723-1749), Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire (1728-1738), General in the Army (1735), and Field Marshal (1742). He rebuilt Stowe and laid out the famous gardens. As he had no children, Stowe passed to his sister Hester Temple Grenville.
From the description of Temple family papers, 1228-1810, (bulk 1600-1700). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122499718
