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