THORNES, Robert (by 1518-49 or later), of London.

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

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. by 1518, 3rd s. of Roger Thornes of Shrewsbury, Salop by Jane, da. of Sir Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley, Salop. m. Elizabeth, da. of Thomas Porte of Bridgnorth, Salop, 2s.2

Offices Held

Biography

Little has come to light about Robert Thornes, who married a kinswoman of judge Sir John Porte. Like Porte he could have been a lawyer, but it is more likely that he was reared to trade: his younger son Thomas became a London clothmaker. That it was he who was returned for Shrewsbury in 1539, and not either of his elder brothers who were important figures in the town, is presumably to be ascribed to Porte as a member of the council in the marches. Porte died before the dissolution of the Parliament of 1539 and Thornes is not known to have been re-elected to any of its successors. In 1543 he acted on behalf of his brother John in the transfer of a meadow at Hencote in Shropshire. The last glimpse of him comes six years later when he is mentioned as the lessee of some property at Bridgnorth, presumably in right of his wife. If he made a will it has not been found.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: A. D.K. Hawkyard

Notes

  • 1. Salop RO,215/56.
  • 2. Presumed to be of age at election. Vis. Salop (Harl. Soc. xxix), 459.
  • 3. DNB (Port, Sir John); City of London RO, Guildhall, rep. 9, f. 75; LP Hen. VIII, xviii; C.A.J. Skeel, Council in the Marches of Wales, 69; CPR, 1549-51, p. 82.