Knollis, Francis

Knollis, Francis a distinguished English statesman, was born at Grays, Oxfordshire, about 1530. He studied at the University of Oxford. Admitted at court, he showed great zeal for the Reformation, and when queen Mary ascended the throne he was obliged to retire to the Continent. At Elizabeth's accession he returned, became privy counsellor, treasurer of the queen's household, and knight of the Carter. He was one of the judges of Mary Stuart. He died in 1596. Knollis wrote a treatise on the Usurpation of papal Bishops (1608, 8vo). See Turner, History of the Reign of Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth; Rose, New General Biographical Dictionary; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Genesis 27:915. (J. N. P.)