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M.P. for Coventry, 1st Nov. 1670 to 8th Feb. 1681; 11th Mar. 1686 to 19th Nov. 1695; and 26th July 1698 to 7th Jan. 1701, Hopkins opposed Charles II and encouraged the crowd which greeted Monmouth's arrival in the city in 1682 (see T.W. Whitley: "The Parliamentary Representation of the City of Coventry" (searchroom library reference 324.4248) pp.102-121 passim); although not charmed by James II on that King's 1687 visit to Coventry, he offered hospitality to the future Queen Anne on her flight from London the next year. Hopkins held the "George" inn, Gosford Barrs in 1689 (see PA101/138/4), had land at Foleshill in 1694 (see PA101/5/1) and leased land at Shortley in 1704/5 (see PA362/1/1); he was master of the Weavers' Company in 1697-99 (see PA100/8/317-322). See PA101/7/276 for Hopkins' marriage-settlement; see also BA/H/Q/A79/307. Hopkins died on 1st Feb. 1707/8 aged 68. In 1695 Hopkins held land near Bastille House from William Jesson of Langley, Warwickshire (see PA202/3/1.I: PA56/79/5). Benefitted under his namesake father's 1672 will (PA17/119). Hopkins leased Foleshill Mill, etc. to Nicholas Everton in 1682 (see PA208/5). The Hopkins family arms are displayed on the Council House frontage - see PA492/2 fols.44-46. While master, Hopkins made wholesale admissions to the Drapers' Company in 1703 - see PA154/1 fols.55-58. For the "George", see BA/D/H/7/4(b); BA/D/H/14/5,10: PA489/4/34/1. For Bastille House lands, see also BA/H/H/317/1. Hopkins leased part of a staircase in Palace Yd. from the corporation (1689 - BA/A/B/13/1), held Pinley tithes (1676 - BA/B/F/38/3), occupied Gosford St. Ward property (BA/D/A/19/9(ak): cf. PA489/4/34/3) and had Foleshill land (BA/D/AW/1/7). BA/H/H/320/2 is the probate copy of his 1707 will. See PA403/136/4. Hopkins was an Allesley Church Estate feoffee to 1707 - see PA494/2/1. Son of Sir Richard Hopkins the serjeant-at-law (q.v.) and father of Edward Hopkins the Master of the Irish Revels; relevant records in the Hopkins estate collection are PA194/3/4; PA194/4/10; PA194/7/15-18; PA194/8/28,31-33; PA194/9/35; PA194/11/23-27,32.II; PA194/12/5,6.II; PA194/18/1,2; PA194/26/1; PA194/31/10; PA194/32/1; PA194/34/8. According to CCA/2/3/104/1, in 1683 Hopkins could demise Bastille Meadow because he had collateral security expectant upon Sir Christopher Hales, baronet's attaining his majority. For Palace Yard, cf. CCA/2/3/442/1.