Biographical
Master ListBiographical
Master List| The purpose of this page is to provide a central reference to the more substantive of the biographical sketches of medieval townspeople dispersed across various of the Medieval English Towns pages. Links to key external sites with biographical information are also included. The list comprises names, an indicator of the main claim(s) to fame, and the location with which principally associated. |
- A -Acton, Richard; wool merchant and mayor, NewcastleAlard, Gervase; mayor and admiral, Winchelsea Alard, Thomas; merchant and town planner, Winchelsea Albeyn, John; tanner and bailiff, Nottingham Alestre, John; wool merchant and mayor, Nottingham Amyas, William; merchant and chantry founder, Nottingham Appleyard, William; mayor, Norwich Ashebourne, William; town clerk, Lynn Askham, William; fishmonger and mayor, London Audley, Henry; market operator and town-founder?, Betley Aylward, Robert; merchant and mayor, Southampton - B -Badlesmere, Bartholomew; royal servant and market operator, Heytesbury, Shifnal, ThaxtedBaker, William; netter and constable, Reading Bamme, Adam; goldsmith and mayor, London Bannebury, Alan; hat-maker?, Reading Barentyn, Drew; goldsmith and alderman, London Baret, John; merchant, Bury St. Edmund's Baret, William; merchant and alderman, London Barton, Henry; skinner and mayor, London Basinges, Adam; merchant and mayor, London Basset, Alan; market operator, High Wycombe, Wootton Bassett Baxter, John; mayor, Reading Beauchamp,Thomas and Richard; borough lords and soldiers, Warwick Bedeham, John; chantry founder, London Bedingham, Ralph; merchant, Lynn Belleyetere, Edmund; merchant vintner, Lynn Betele, Henry; merchant and mayor, Lynn Bezill, Matthew; royal servant and market operator, Sherston Bilney, John; merchant and reformer, Lynn Bitering, William; vintner and mayor, Lynn Bixley, John; mercer and mayor, Norwich Blakeney, William; mariner, Lynn Blakburn, Margaret; wife of Nicholas Blakburn, York Blakburn, Nicholas; merchant and mayor, York Blaunche, John; cooper, Lynn Bolt, John; merchant, Lynn Bolton, John; mercer and mayor, York Botkesham, Robert; merchant and mayor, Lynn Botkesham, Thomas; merchant and mayor, Lynn Bourchier, Henry; Earl of Essex, market operator, Halstead Bousser, Robert; baron, market operator, Halstead Boys, Hugh; ironmonger, London Bramptone, William; fishmonger and alderman, London Brandon, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Braunch, Ancelm; merchant and jurat, Lynn Braunch, John; merchant and jurat, Lynn Braunch, Robert; merchant and mayor, Lynn Brembre, Nicholas; grocer and mayor, London Brewer, William; town-founder, Axminster, Bridgwater, Chesterfield, Stockbridge Brigge, Thomas; merchant and mayor, Lynn Brompton, John; merchant and keeper, Beverley Brunham, John; merchant, mayor, father of Margery Kempe, Lynn Brunham, Robert; vintner and mayor, Lynn Bruyn, John; bailiff, Bridgnorth Brycham, William; fishmonger and merchant, Lynn Bryghtzeve, John; merchant and jurat, Lynn Brynton, William; merchant and mayor, Lynn Bukerel, Andrew; merchant and mayor, London Bukworth, John; reformer, Lynn Bureford, Rose; embroideress and merchant's wife, London Burgeys, John; merchant and bailiff, Maldon Burgh, Elizabeth; Lady de Clare, market operator, Buntingford, Buntingford, Great Bardfield Burgh, Hubert; justiciar, regent, market operator, Rayleigh et al. Burghard, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Burley, William; bailiff, Shrewsbury Burnell, Robert; chancellor, bishop, and town-founder, Acton Bury, Adam; merchant and alderman, London Bury, William; gentleman, Colchester Bye, Thomas; fuller? and mayor, Reading - C -Caldwell, John; merchant and bailiff, IpswichCambridge, William; grocer, alderman, London Capella, Richard; bishop and property developer, Bromyard, Ledbury, Leominster? Carleton, Thomas; embroiderer and alderman, London Carpenter, John; town clerk, London Carpenter, Thomas; mercer and mayor, Reading Causton, John; chantry founder, London Caxton, William; merchant and book publisher, Westminster Chapman, Geoffrey; small trader, Earls Colne Chichele, Robert; grocer and mayor, London Chichester, John; goldsmith and alderman, London Clech, Richard; draper and mayor, Reading Clerk, William; potter, London Clopton, Robert; draper and mayor, London Cokesford, Hamon; jurat, Lynn Cokesford, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Cokesford, Robert; lawyer/administrator, Lynn Cooke, Thomas; jurat, Lynn Couper, Robert; mason, York of Cornwall, Richard; earl and town developer, Camelford, Looe, et al. Couteshale, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Costyn, Geoffrey; bailiff, Ipswich Coteler, Thomas; taverner and merchant, Ipswich Coventre, John; mercer and mayor, London Craven, John; gentleman and ordnance master, York Crosby, John; merchant and mayor, London Crowmere, William; draper and mayor, London Croxton, Robert; mason, London - D -Danvers, Agnes; gentlewoman, widow of Fray, Wenlock and Say, LondonDapifer, Eudo; king's steward and property developer, Colchester Davyson, Robert; mason, York Davyson, Thomas; gentleman and town clerk, York Debenham, William; merchant and bailiff, Ipswich Denton, John; administrator and mayor, Newcastle Dereman, Nicholas; butcher, London Drayll, John; merchant and bailiff, Ipswich Drayton, Thomas; merchant, administrator, Yarmouth Drewe, Geoffrey senior; jurat, Lynn Drewe, Geoffrey junior; merchant guild alderman, Lynn Drewe, John; merchant and jurat, Lynn Drewe, Thomas senior; mayor, Lynn Drewe, Thomas junior; merchant and mayor, Lynn Drye, Robert; bailiff, Ipswich - E -Edington, William; bishop and fair-owner, WinchesterEgglesfeld, John; gentleman and sword-bearer, York Ellingham, Hugh; mercer and vintner, Lynn Ellingham, William; mercer and jurat, Lynn Elys, Henry; jurat, Lynn Elys, Roger; wax-chandler and alderman, London Elys, William; merchant and customs farmer, Yarmouth Emeldon, Richard; wool merchant and bailiff, Newcastle Erl, William; vintner, Lynn Erpingham, Thomas; knight, soldier, arbitrator, Norwich Essex, William; draper and parliamentary representative, London Esyngton, William; wool merchant, Newcastle Eyre, Simon; middleman, London Eyton, Roger; bailiff, Shrewsbury - F -Falyate, John; merchant, LynnFastolf, Hugh; mariner, merchant, administrator, Yarmouth Fastolf, Hugh; grocer and alderman, London (same as Yarmouth man) Fauconer, Thomas; mercer and mayor, London Faukes, Thomas; merchant, Lynn la Fayre, Alice; huckster, Colchester Felawe, Richard; merchant and bailiff, Harwich, Ipswich Feld, John; fishmonger and alderman, London FitzThedmar, Arnold; alderman and chronicler, London FitzThomas, Thomas; draper, mayor and Montfortian, London FitzWalter,Robert; knight and military commander, London Fleming, John; merchant and mayor, Southampton Foleham, Adam; fishmonger and alderman, London Forester, Walter; skinner and alderman, London Fox, John; mayor, Lollard sympathiser, Northampton Frank, Philip; merchant and mayor, Lynn Frank, Richard; merchant and mayor, Lynn Fransham, Geoffrey; merchant, Lynn Fray, John; lawyer and administrator, London Frere, Richard; town clerk, Lynn Frompton, Walter; merchant and mayor, Bristol Frost, William; mayor, York Frowyk, Roger; goldsmith and alderman, London Fyncham, John; administrator, Lynn - G -Galt, Henry; goldsmith?, LynnGalyon, Roger; merchant and mayor, Lynn Gamel, John; bailiff, Shrewsbury Gaysele, Geoffrey; merchant, Lynn Gaysele, William; attorney and parliamentary representative, Yarmouth Gedney, John; draper and mayor, London Gisors, John; merchant and alderman, London Gloucester, Thomas; glover, London Glover, John; cloth merchant and bailiff, Maldon Gloucester, William; goldsmith and alderman, London Godestone, Thomas; administrator, Colchester Gosselyn, Richard; chantry founder, London Graper, Peter; bailiff, Newcastle Gunter, Willliam; merchant and mayor, Southampton Gunton, Simon; merchant and mayor, Lynn - H -Hadley, John; grocer and mayor, LondonHalleyate, William; reformer, Lynn Hall, John; dyer and bailiff, Ipswich Halteby, John; "king of Ipswich" Hardyng, Thomas; smuggler and thug, Manningtree Haukyn, Gilbert; bailiff, Newcastle Hende, John; draper and mayor, London Hervey, Walter; populist mayor, London Hibburn, Robert; merchant and mayor, Newcastle Howom, Thomas; mercer and mayor, York Hunderpound, William; merchant and mayor, Lynn Hunte, Thomas; butcher, Earls Colne Hunte, Thomas; merchant and mayor, Lynn - J -Joye, John; vintner and innkeeper, IpswichJuyn, John; lawyer, Bristol - K -Keep, John; merchant and administrator, LynnKelsale, Roger; king's yeoman and customs administrator, Southampton Kempe, John; merchant, father-in-law of Margery Kempe, Lynn Kempe, Margery; mystic, Lynn Kenynghale, John; merchant, Lynn Knolles, Robert; knight and military commander, London Knolles, Thomas; grocer and mayor, London Kyrketon, John; fishmonger and alderman, London - L -Lakinghithe, John; merchant and mayor, LynnLambert, John; merchant, Lynn Lathe, John; vintner?, Lynn Lech, Richard; mayor, Reading Lede, Jakemin; Flemish merchant's factor, Leicester Lendall, William; constable, Reading Linacre, William; mayor, Reading Lok, John; merchant, Lynn Longespée, William; Earl of Salisbury, market operator, Amesbury Louthe, William; goldsmith and alderman, London Lyndeseye, William; merchant and mayor, Lynn Lyteman, Margery; brewster, Earls Colne - M -Mafey, Peter; merchant, LynnMaghfeld, Gilbert; ironmonger ad alderman, London Malyn, William; wool merchant and smuggler, Ipswich Mapurley, Thomas; lawyer and recorder, Nottingham Marrow, John; mason, Norwich Martyn, Nicholas; merchant, reformer, Lynn Melcheburn, Thomas; king's merchant, administrator, Lynn Metcalfe, Miles; lawyer, York Middleton, Thomas; administrator and benefactor, Southampton Montfort,Simon; borough lord and soldier, Leicester More, John; reformer and alderman, London Mowbray, Roger; Templar and town-founder, Thirsk Muriell, John; merchant, reformer, Lynn - N -Neell, Richard; mariner, LynnNicholas, Cristin; mayor, Reading Nicholasson, James; shoemaker, foreigner, Lynn Nicholl, William; merchant and mayor, Southampton Norbury, Richard; mercer and alderman, London Northampton, John; skinner and alderman, London Northampton, John; reformer and mayor, London Northwold, William; clergyman, heretic, Northampton Norwich, John; grocer, London - O -Organ, John; mercer and alderman, LondonOrmeshead, William; merchant and mayor, York Oxneye, William; merchant, Lynn Oxonia, Adam; abbot and town-founder, Eynsham - P -Palmer, Alice; bridge-builder, NottinghamPalshid, Richard; administrator and town clerk, Southampton Palmer, Roger; cornmonger and alderman, London Paulyn, Robert; merchant and mayor, Winchelsea Paxman, Roger; merchant and mayor, Lynn Paynot, Thomas; merchant, Lynn Pencester, Stephen; warden of the Cinque Ports Perbroun, John; admiral, administrator, Yarmouth Perle, John; bailiff, Shrewsbury Permonter, John; vintner and mayor, Lynn Petypas, Bartholomew; reformer and mayor, Lynn Philpot, John; grocer and mayor, London Picot, Nicholas; mercer and alderman, London de la Pole, William; merchant venturer and financier, Kingston upon Hull Polle, Thomas; goldsmith and alderman, London le Poer, Roger; bishop and property developer, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Old Sarum, Poore, Richard; bishop and town-founder, Salisbury Pounder, Thomas; Merchant Adventurer, Ipswich Preston, John; administrator, Ipswich Pride, Thomas; lawyer and bailiff, Shrewsbury Prince, Gilbert; painter, London Priterwell, John; spicer, London, Prittlewell Pulter, Robert; victualler?, Lynn Purdaunce, Richard; mercer and mayor, Norwich Pynchon, Walter; goldsmith, London - R -Rafman, Henry; administrator and debtor, Yarmouth and NorwichRamsey, Ralph; administrator and soldier, Yarmouth Randolf, Henry; merchant and admiral, Yarmouth Ravenston, William; mayor, Southampton Reppes, Laurence; escaped serf?, tanner and jurat, Lynn Revetour, William; clergyman, playwright?, York Ricart, Robert; town clerk and chronicler, Bristol Rokesle, Gregory; merchant, mayor, and royal administrator, London Ruilly, Hubert; market operator, Cattawade, Manningtree Russell, Richard; vintner and mayor, York Ryghtwys, Thomas; merchant and mayor, Lynn - S -Sainte-Mère Église, William; bishop and town-founder, Braintree, ChelmsfordSalisbury, Robert; merchant, Lynn Sandwich, Ralph; royal administrator and warden of London Say, John; Speaker of the House of Commons, administrator, London Say, Margaret; town-founder?, Stapleton Seburgh, John; merchant and bailiff, Colchester Segrym, Ralph; mercer and mayor, Norwich Sellyng, John; apothecary, London Servat, William; pepperer and alderman, London Sevenok, William; mayor, London Sewale, John; gentleman and mercer, Colchester and London Shadworth, John; mercer and mayor, London Shotton, John; draper and bailiff, Shrewsbury Silesden, William; merchant, Lynn Skynner, Thomas; bailiff, Shrewsbury Snawsell, William; mayor, York Soper, Willliam; merchant, mayor, clerk of the king's ships, Southampton Sparham, Thomas; merchant and violence victim, Lynn Spicer, John; victualler?, customs administrator, Lynn Spynk, Richard; clothier? and benefactor, Norwich Spyr, William; mercer and jurat, Lynn Stace, Geoffrey; administrator and kidnapper, Ipswich Stace, Thomas; bailiff, Ipswich Staller,Ansgar; military commander, London Staundon, William; grocer and mayor, London Stokdale, John; brasier, Newcastle Stoke, Richard; merchant and mayor, Coventry Stokker, John; draper and alderman, London Stormesworth, Richard; bailiff, Lollard opponent, Northampton dil Stonhous, Thomas; taverner and merchant, Ipswich Style, John and Thomas; merchants, Lynn Style, William; bailiff, Ipswich Sudbury, John; innkeeper, Ipswich Sustede, John; merchant and jurat, Lynn Sutton, John; merchant, Lynn Swafham, Richard; gatekeeper, Lynn Swanlond, Simon; draper and mayor, London Swanton, William; merchant and mayor, Lynn Swerdestone, Alan; merchant, Lynn Swerdestone, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Swerdestone, Nicholas; disgraced burgess, Lynn Systerne, Bartholomew; merchant and coroner, Lynn Systerne, Reginald; merchant and jurat, Lynn - T -Tailur, Philip; mercer and alderman, LondonTalworth, John; woodmonger, London Thewyt, Richard; merchant, Lynn Thirsford, John; parliamentary representative, Lynn Thirsk, John; merchant and mayor, York Thornhegge, Joan; widow of John de Thornhegge, merchant, Lynn Thornton, Roger; merchant and mayor, Newcastle Thorpe, Richard; merchant, Lynn Tildesley, Christopher; king's goldsmith, London Tilney, John; draper, Lynn Tilney, John; lawyer and administrator, Lynn Toppes, Robert; merchant and mayor, Norwich Trussebut, Thomas; merchant, Lynn Twyford, Nicholas; goldsmith and alderman, London - U/V -Urry, Walter; merchant, LynnUsk, Thomas; scribe and author, London Vannere, Henry; vintner and alderman, London Vavasour,John; lawyer and recorder, York Venour, William; grocer and alderman, London Vyell, John; mayor and cloth merchant, Bristol - W -Wace, John; mercer and mayor, LynnWade, Adam; corn-chandler, London Walden, William; brewer, reformer, Lynn Waldern, Geoffrey; draper and councillor, London Waldern, William; mercer and mayor, London Walerand, Robert; market operator and town-founder?, Kilpeck Waleys, Henry; merchant, mayor, and town planner, London Walpole, Robert; draper, Lynn Walsh, John; goldsmith, London Walsoken, Adam; merchant and mayor, Lynn Walton, Robert; wool merchant, Lynn Walworth, William; fishmonger and mayor, London Warner, John; ironmonger and alderman, London Waryn, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Waterden, John; lawyer, Lynn Waterden, Robert; mercer, Lynn Waterden, Thomas; merchant and mayor, Lynn Welles, John; grocer and mayor, London Welles, John; merchant and bailiff, Maldon Wenlock, John; parliamentarian, knight, London Wentworth, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Wesenham, John; king's merchant, financier, and administrator, Lynn Wesenham, John; merchant and mayor, Lynn Weston, John; chantry founder, London Wetherby, Thomas; mayor, Norwich Whethereld, William; merchant and bailiff, Ipswich White, John; clergyman, London Whittington, Richard; "thrice lord-mayor of London" Willeford, Henry; mayor, Nottingham Willesdone, Richard; chandler, London Wode, John; merchant and innkeeper, Ipswich Woodcock, John; mercer and mayor, London Wrotham, Thomas; baker and chandler, London Wyth, William; jurat, Lynn - X/Y/Z -Yelverton, William; judge, NorwichYevele, Henry; mason and architect, London |
| BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: The nature of surviving records from borough, national, or ecclesiastical archives of medieval England is such that it is the mercantile and property-holding segment of urban society that is best documented. We know little about individuals from the lower rungs of the social ladder, and even with those at the apex of that society, biographical reconstruction is often sketchy. Some modern studies of particular towns include biographies of a few selected townsmen. The single most useful source, however, is J.S. Roskell, L. Clark, and C. Rawcliffe eds., The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1386-1421, Stroud: Alan Sutton, 1992. Although not entirely free of errors, the biographies are scholarly and often detailed. |
