STONARD (STONER), James (by 1497-1558), of Southampton.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Mar. 1553
Nov. 1554

Family and Education

b. by 1497, 2nd s. of Peter Stonard of Southampton.1

Offices Held

Steward, Southampton 1530-1, water bailiff 1532-3, ct. bailiff 1534-5, sheriff 1535-6, mayor 1546-7, alderman by 1553.2

Biography

James Stonard followed his father into trade and was admitted a freeman of Southampton on 16 Feb. 1518. His municipal career followed the usual course and by the time of his first Membership of Parliament he was the leading alderman in the town. As a supplier of victuals, munitions and building materials to the garrison on Alderney during 1549-51 he was doubtless known to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, under whose aegis the Parliament of March 1553 was called. His re-election 18 months later satisfied Queen Mary’s preference for townsmen. Unlike his partner on this occasion James Brande, he was not found to be absent without leave at the call of the House early in January 1555. The payment of 20s.made by John Staveley as mayor during 1554-5 to Stonard, ‘upon his allowance being burgess of the Parliament’, was perhaps a contribution towards his expenses on both occasions. On the outbreak of war with France in 1557 he was entrusted with a sector of the Southampton defences. He presumably died at his house on Simnel Street, which he had occupied since leasing it in 1548, as he was buried in St. Michael’s church nearby on 2 Feb. 1558. If he made a will it has not been found.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Patricia Hyde

Notes

  • 1. Date of birth estimated from admission as freeman. Soton RO, bk. of oaths and ordinances, f. 8v.
  • 2. Third Bk. of Remembrance, i (Soton Rec. ser. ii), app. i; C219/20/168.
  • 3. Soton RO, bk. of oaths and ordinances, f. 8v; liber de finibus 1554-5; Third Bk. of Remembrance, i. 50n; ii (Soton Rec. ser. iii), 9n, 20, 36n, 57, 57n; APC, ii. 288, 292, 293, 300, 326, 351, 401; iii. 184, 291; La Société Guernesiaise, xvi. 230, 257, 264-5.