Around 1484 Nicholas Hare was born to John Hare of Homersfield in Suffolk. He was educated at Gonville College, Cambridge University and admitted to the Inner Temple in 1515.
Around 1528 Nicholas Hare [aged 44] and Katherine Bassingbourne [aged 25] were married. They had three sons and three daughters.
In 1529 Nicholas Hare [aged 45] was elected MP Downton.
In 1539 Nicholas Hare [aged 55] was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
In May 1539 Nicholas Hare [aged 55] was knighted.
Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 12th April 1540. The xii. daie of Aprill began a Parliament, and sir Nicholas Hare [aged 56] restored to the office of speaker, in the whiche was frely graunted, without contradicions, foure fiftenes and a Subsedy, of twoo s. of landes, and xii. d. of goodes, toward the greate charges of Bulwarkes.
In 1545 Nicholas Hare [aged 61] was elected MP Lancaster.
In 1547 Nicholas Hare [aged 63] was elected MP Taunton.
In 1553 Nicholas Hare [aged 69] was appointed Master of the Rolls.
In 1554 Nicholas Hare [aged 70] presided at the trial of Nicholas Throckmorton [aged 39] for his involvement in Wyatt's Rebellion.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 31st October 1557 Nicholas Hare [aged 73] died. He was buried on 8th November 1557 at Temple Church, London [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th November 1557. The viij day of November was bered with-in the Tempull [Map] ser Necolas Hare [deceased], knyght, and master of the rolles, with ij whytt branchys and (blank) torches, and a herse garnyshed with wax and penselles and armes; and with a harold of armes; and with a standard, and a penon, and cote of armes, elmett, targatt, and sword; and a viij dosen of skochyons.
Note. P. 156. Ibid. Funeral of sir Nicholas Hare. Having been a master of requests to Henry VIII. and Edward VI. he was constituted master of the rolls by patent 18 Sept. 1553. His wife Catharine survived him not quite a month. See their epitaph printed in Dugdale's Origines Juridiciales, fol. 1671, p. 178.
Around 21st November 1557 [his former wife] Katherine Bassingbourne [aged 54] died.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 30th November 1557. [The xxv day of November died the lady Hare [deceased], late wife] unto ser Necolaus Hare [deceased], knyght, and [master of the rolls, the] wyche she ded at (blank).