Biography of Thomas Witham 1420-1489
Paternal Family Tree: Witham
Around 1420 Thomas Witham was born to Robert Witham of Grantham.
In 1432 Thomas Witham (age 12) and Agnes Thweng were married.
After 29 Dec 1440 [his father] Robert Witham of Grantham died.
In 1454 Thomas Witham (age 34) was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 32).
In 1456 Thomas Witham (age 36) was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 34) for life.
In 1461 Thomas Witham's (age 41) appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer was confirmed by King Edward IV of England (age 18).
Calendars. 20 Apr 1461. York [Map]. Grant for life to Thomas Witham (age 41) of the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the accustomed fees.
Calendars. 21 Dec 1461. Westminster Palace [Map]. The like to Robert Ingleton of the reversion of the office of chancellor of Westminster, the Exchequer, with the accustomed fees, immediately after the decease, resignation or dismissal of Thomas Witham (age 41), to whom the same has been granted for life.
Calendars. 26 Jun 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Appointment of W. archbishop of York, Richard, Earl of Warwick (age 33), John Neville of Muntague, knight, Robert Danby, knight, Robert Constable, knight, the mayor of York, Thomas Wytham (age 42), Brian Rouclyff, Henry Sotehill (age 44), Guy Fairefax, John Grenefeld, Richard Pygote, Henry Thwaites, Nicholas Girlyiigton, John Wencelagh, John Thirske, Nicholas Holgate, John Marton, William Bradford and John Shirwode as justices of the survey and custody of the rivers in the county of York pursuant to the statutes of 24 Edward III., 4o Edward III., and 1 Henry IV., concerning the erection of weirs, mills, stanks, pales and kiddles.
Calendars. 26 Jun 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Licence for the king's kinsman Richard, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury (age 33), to grant castles, manors, lordships, lands, rents and services, of the yearly value of 1,000/., held in chief, although the reversion of the same may belong to the crown on his death without issue, to George, Bishop of Exeter, John, Earl of Worcester, John Markham, Robert Dauby, Walter Blounte, James Strangwais, Walter Wrottesley, knights, Thomas Witham (age 42), Thomas Colte, Henry Sotehill (age 44) and William Kelsy in fee simple to pay his debts and fulfil his will alter his de»th. By K.
Calendars. 01 Aug 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant to the king^s uncle William Neville (age 57), Earl of Kent and lord of Fauconberg, and the heirs male of his body of the manors and lordships of Crukerne, Misterton, Glopton, Kyngeston by Yevulchestre, Somerton Erleghy Batheneston and Shekerwike, co. Somerset, Northam, Londay, Slapton, Torrybrian, Clyfton Dertmouth Hardenesse, Norton Daunde by Dertmouth, Aylesbeare and Whympell, co. Devon, and Shevyok, Antony, Portloo, Landulp, Trelowia, Northill, Landrian, Legh Durant, Oldlawitta, Penpol, Elerky and Lanyhorn, co. Cornwall, the boroughs of Crofthull and Portpigham, co. Cornwall, the lordships and manors of Ebryngton, Yeverne Courteney, Maperton, Ramsam, Wroxhale, Childefrome, Tolre Porcorum, Pountknoll, Valet, Clevecombo, Swere, Netherkentcombe and Hasilbeare, co. Dorset, the castle and lordship of Warder, co. Wilts, the lordships and manors of Chellesfelde, Esthall, Faukehnm, Ayssh and Wylmyngtou, co. Kent, and Maunsfelde, Lyndeby and Clypston in Shirwode, co. Nottingham, tho castle and lordships of Horeston and Balsover, co. Derby, the lordships and manor's of Whitle and Warpesden alias Warpelesden, co. Surrey, the manors of Bondeby, co. Lincoln, and Westle, co. Suffolk, all manors, messuages, lands, rents and services late of Antony Nuthill of Holdernesse in the county of York, all burgages, messuages, lands, rents and services late of Thomas Tresham (age 42), knight, in the town, suburb and fields of Norhampton, the manor of Wavenden, co. Buckingham, and all other lands, rents and services in those places, with all timber and lead, late of the said Thomas Tresham (age 42) in the town of Norhampton, with advowsons, knights' fees, frandchises, liberties, hundreds, courts leet, views of frank-pledge, fairs, markets, warrens, fisheries, wreck of sea, chattels of felons and fugitives and all other profits, in the king's hands by reason of an act of Parliament at Westminster, 4 November, and all the issues of the same from the first day of the reign. And if he die without male heir of his body the king grants the said lordships and manors of Crukeme, Aylesbcare, Whympell, Torribrian, Ebryngton, Yeverne Courtenay, Shevyok, Antony, Portloo, Landulp, Trelowia, Northll, Landryan, Legh Durant, Oldlawitta, Penpoll, Elerky, Norton, Croftholl, Porpighan and Lavyhome with advowsons and knight's fees to George Neville, Bishop of Exeter (age 30), John Markham, knight, chief Justice of the Bench, Robert Danby, knight, chief justice of the Common Bench, Thomas Witham (age 42), chancellor of the Exchequer, Thomas Cooke, citizen and alderman of London, Robert Ingleton, John Payntour and Thomas Graveson for twelve years from his death.
Calendars. 04 Aug 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Commission to Humphrey Bourghchier of Cromwell, Walter Blount and John Greseley, knights, John Bothe, Nicholas Fitzherbert, Nicholas Stathom, John Tunsted, James Hopwode and the sheriff of Derby to arrest in the counties of Derby, Nottingham or York and imprison Richard Ghiitford of Retford, co. Nottingham, and his abettors, who wander about the county of Derby and stir up the king's subjects to rebellion and have imprisoned certain of the king's officers.
The like to Humphrey Bourghchier of Cromwell, Robert Clyfton and Robert Strclley, knights, John Stanhope, Richard Wilughby, Thomas Nevill of Rolleston, William Merynges, Thomas Nevill of Southleverton and the sheriff of Nottingham.
The like to John Neviie of Mountague, Ralph de Graystok, Thomas Lomley, James Strangweys, Robert Constable, John Conyers, John Melton and John Constable, knights, Thomas Wytham (age 42), John Hastynges, Brian Roclyff, Henry Sothehill, Edmund Fitzwiliiam, William Burgh, Richard Pygot, Nicholas Girlyngton, Ralph Ayssheton, Robert Nevyle, John Thwaytes, Guy Fairefax, William Scargill, Percival Grisaker, William Eland, John Wenslagh, John Vavasour, John Haitfeld, John Grenefeld and the sheriff of York.
Calendars. 20 Aug 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant for life to Thomas Witham (age 42), from Michaelmas last, for his good service to the king and his father Richard, late duke of York, of £20 yearly from the fee farm of the town of Scardeburgh [Map] and the manor of Walgrave and from 60 acres of land and the issues of the town.
Calendars. 13 Mar 1463. Westminster Palace [Map]. Commission to James Strangways, knight, Thomas Witham (age 43), chancellor of the Exchequer, Thomas Mouutford, esquire, John Laton, esquire, and Ralph Assheton, esquire, to enquire by oath of good men of the county of York whether Joan Faucombregge, late Countess of Kent (age 56), is an idiot and incapable of the government of herself and her possessions, whether she has alienated any of her lands, and who is her next heir.
Calendars. 17 Mar 1465. Grant to the king's kinsman Ralph, lord of Graystok (age 51), knight, and the, heirs male of his body of the manors and lordships of Storthwayte, Garton and Melburne, co. York, with their members, worth 60/. yearly, and the advowson or patronage of the priory of Kirkeham, co. York, worth nothings and the manor of Ravensthorp, co. York, worth 35/. yearly, the custody of which was granted by letters patent dated 5 November, 1 Edward IV. to Robert Danby and Thomas Wytham (age 45), chancellor of the Exchequer, for 20 years from Michaelmas then last past at a rent of 26/. 13s, 4d. yearly, with a toft and a bovate of land in Boltby, co. York, late of John son of William de la Boure, worth 2^. yearly, and the said 26/. 13^. 4d. and all issues and arrears of the above premises from 3 March before the said 5 November, and pardon to the said Ralph, Robert and Thomas of all accounts for the same. By p.s. Vacated by surrender and cancelled because the king granted the above I to him and the heirs male of his body by other letters patent on 30 November, 8 Edward IV.
Calendars. 16 Nov 1465. Westminster Palace [Map]. Licence for Thomas Witham (age 45), esquire, and his executors to found a perpetual chantry of one chaplain to celebrate divine service daily at the altar of Holy Trinity and St. Giles in a church or chapel newly built by him at Corneburgh, co. York, for the good estate of the king and the said Thomas and Agnes his wife and for their souls after death and the souls of the king's father Richard, duke of York, Richard, Earl of Salisbury, and Alice his wife and the relatives and benefactors of the said Thomas and Agnes and all for whom the said Thomas is in any way bound to pray, to be called the chantry of Thomas Witham, esquire; and for the alienation in mortmain to the said chaplain by the said Thomas and Agnes and their executors and assigns of lands, rents, services and possessions, not held in chief, to the value of 10 marks yeaiiy.
By E. and for lOOs, paid in the hanaper.
On 15 Apr 1489 Thomas Witham (age 69) died.
Calendars. 03 Sep 1664. Penley. Grant to the kiug's servitor Thomas Witham, chancellor of the Exchequer, of tbe custody of the body of Catharine Metcalf, late the wife of Edmund Metcalf, who has been an idiot from her birth, and of all her lands and tenements in the county of York and in Kingeston on Hull, to hold during her idiotcy without rendering anything to the king but finding a competent sustenance for her and supporting all charges. By K.
Calendars. 26 Sep 1664. Reading [Map]. Grant to Thomas Metcalf and Miles Metcalf, brothers of Edmund Metcalf, for their good service to the king, the king's father Richard, late duke of York, and the king's uncle Richard, late Earl of Salisbury, of the custody of the body of Catharine Metcalf, late the wife of the said Edmund, and of all her lands and tenements in the county of York and in Kingeston on Hull, to hold during her idiotcy without rendering anything to the king, but finding a competent sustenance for her and supporting all charges, in the same manner as the same was granted to Thomas Witham, chancellor of the Exchequer, by letters patent, surrendered.