Spragge was son of Lichfield Spragge of
Roscommon, Ireland, by his wife Mary Legge (sister of
William Legge), and grandson of John Spragge, who came to Ireland in the Elizabethan period. His father was killed in about 1645 during the Civil War when Royalist Governor of Roscommon. Edward Spragge is said to have been a slave in Algiers before serving in the
English Civil War from 1648 in
Prince Rupert's royalist naval squadron. On 16 January 1674, it was resolved by Parliament that Spragge had failed to be elected because he had illegally influenced the election; he had in fact ordered an old and infirm pilot, who he knew intended to vote for his rival, aboard one of his ships, to prevent him from voting. Spragge was buried in the North Choir Aisle of
Westminster Abbey, but without any memorial visible today. His grave had this inscription: :
Sir Edward Spragge, Kt., a brave and valiant Sea Captain, who lost his life in a sea fight against the Hollanders, 1673 He had no issue by his wife, but was the father of two illegitimate sons and one daughter by a mistress, Dorothy Dennis. Edward Spragge was the cousin of the later admiral
George Legge. ==Namesakes==