Bankes was the son of Sir Ralph Bankes MP (son of Sir John Bankes, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Brune.[1]
In 1691, Bankes married Margaret, daughter of Sir Henry Parker Bt MP. Two of their sons, John and Henry, went on to serve as MP for Corfe Castle.[1]
Bankes first stood at Corfe Castle – a family seat, which his father had previously represented – in the 1698 general election. The election was contested, and Bankes survived a petition from the losing candidate for voting irregularities. Bankes and Richard Fownes were returned unopposed at every subsequent election until they both died in 1714.[2]
Bankes was also hereditary constable of Corfe Castle and hereditary Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Purbeck.[1]
On 14 July 1714, Bankes was attempting to lift a blunderbuss hanging on his bedroom wall at Kingston Lacy when it discharged, shooting him fatally through the head.[3] He was buried at Wimborne Minster.[1]
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