Family and Education

Offices Held

Coroner, Huntingdon by 1412-d.1

Bailiff, Huntingdon Mich. 1413-14, 1415-16, 1422-3.2

Biography

Probably a son or kinsman of the Huntingdon wool merchant, Ralph Gidding^†, George soon established himself as a leading figure in the borough. Although he sat only once in the House of Commons, he attended at least 12 of the parliamentary elections held there between 1411 and 1429, and was, moreover, considered sufficiently important to help choose the shire knights in 1414 (Nov.), 1415 and 1420. He was active as a witness to local deeds from about 1405 onwards, but it was thanks to his appointment as coroner that he acquired most of his influence. Despite an attempt by the government, in May 1423, to replace him on the ground that he was ‘insufficiently qualified’, Gidding retained the post until his death; and it was thus in an official capacity that he became embroiled in the dramatic dispute between his fellow burgesses and the prioress of Hinchingbrooke. The latter’s refusal to allow rights of way and access to common pasture to the townspeople of Huntingdon had for some time caused considerable ill-feeling, which erupted, in 1425, in an attack on her property led by John Dunhead II*, John Foxton* and Hugh Parson*. Not surprisingly, the prioress complained to the royal council, which set up a commission of oyer and terminer to investigate the affray. On its recommendation, a settlement was reached on 25 July 1425, but a few days later Gidding took the law into his own hands and with a band of companions actually assaulted the prioress herself and abducted some of her servants. She once again appealed to the authorities, but the outcome of the case is not recorded.3

Gidding died shortly before December 1431, and may well have left a son to succeed him. The George Gidding who took part in the Huntingdon parliamentary elections of 1432, 1433 and 1435 was certainly a kinsman; and, in view of his inclusion among the Huntingdonshire gentry who were to take the oath of May 1434 that they would not support persons disturbing the peace, we may assume that he did well for himself.4

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: E.M. Wade

Notes

Variant: Gyddyng.

• 1. Add. Ch. 33525.
• 2. Ibid. 33526, 33530.
• 3. Ibid. 33522, 33616-17; CCR, 1422-9, p. 33; 1429-35, p. 141; CPR, 1429-36, p. 376; 1454-61, p. 146.
• 4. CPR, 1429-35, p. 141; CPR, 1429-36, p. 376.