HERBERT, Thomas (by 1514-88), of Wonastow, Mon.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Apr. 1554

Family and Education

b. by 1514, 3rd s. of Sir William Herbert (d.1524) of Troy by Blanche, da. and coh. of Simon Milborne of Tillington, Herefs. m. (1) prob. da. of George Catesby of Lapworth, Warws. s.p.; (2) Anne, da. of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, Warws., 5s. inc. Henry 4da. Kntd. 1573.1

Offices Held

J.p. Mon. 1543, from 1555; commr. relief, 1550, church goods 1553, piracy 1577, sheriff 1559-60, 1571-2.2

Biography

Herbert held office under three religious houses, including Grace Dieu, which he bought in 1545. After the death of his brother he virtually succeeded to the commanding position in Monmouthshire enjoyed by his father, serving on most of the local commissions appointed by the Privy Council and the council in the marches. His name appears in the pardon roll of 1559.3

Herbert was the principal participant in both the contested elections known to have occurred in Monmouthshire during this period. In 1559 he was one of three candidates to stand for the two county seats. In an Exchequer action that followed the election, it was claimed that most votes had gone to the rival candidates, William Morgan I of Tredegar and George Kemeys of Troy, but that the sheriff—a relative of Morgan—had substituted Herbert for Kemeys. Herbert’s election evidently stood. In 1572 he appeared before the Star Chamber at the instance of William Morgan II of Llantarnam on charges arising out of the election of that year, at which he was accused of procuring the return of his son, Henry, and the defeat of Morgan by the abuse of his position as sheriff.4

On Herbert’s death, 8 Oct. 1588, most of his estate was inherited by Henry. The charities in his will included gifts to Hereford and Llandaff cathedrals, £5 towards the maintenance of the highway in Wonastow parish, and 1 2d. to every deacon and minister who should attend his burial. He wished to be buried in the chapel in Monmouth parish church where his father and brother lay, and left £100 for his funeral expenses.5

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A.H.D.

Notes

  • 1. Bradney, Mon. i(1), pp. 38-9; Vis. Warws. (Harl. Soc. xii), 126, 287; LP Hen. VIII, i. 124; PCC 10 Leicester.
  • 2. CPR, 1553 and App. Edw. VI, 360, 418.
  • 3. Val. Eccles. iv. 361, 371-2; LP Hen. VIII, xx(1), g. 1335; CPR, 1550-3, p. 112; 1558-60, p. 224; Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales, 126.
  • 4. E159/340; Neale, Commons, 84-6.
  • 5. PCC 10 Leicester; C142/220/87.