SANDWELL, Richard, of Wycombe, Bucks.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421, ed. J.S. Roskell, L. Clark, C. Rawcliffe., 1993
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

prob. s. of John Sandwell (d.c.1352), mayor of Wycombe 1346-9.1 m. bef. 1393, Joan,2 ?1s. John*.

Offices Held

Biography

A member of an established Wycombe family, Richard was descended from Roger Sandwell, the MP of 1307 and 1327. Several of the burgesses of Wycombe had trading connexions with London, so it is at least possible that he was the Richard Sandwell made master of the Cutlers’ guild there in 1382. Indeed, five years later, described as ‘of Wycombe’, our MP was confirmed in possession of certain lands in Harlesden, Middlesex, his partner in this acquisition being John Brian, junior, who was without doubt both a Wycombe burgess and a citizen of London. The two men were again associated in 1388, when Brian stood surety for Sandwell in a plea for debt.3

Sandwell always retained interests in Wycombe, and was normally resident there. In 1390, the commonalty leased to him a shop in the market-place, adjacent to one he already held. Three years later he and his wife Joan, described as ‘of the diocese of Lincoln’ (which included Wycombe), obtained a papal licence to have a chaplain of their own choice. In 1401, he made over all his property in the town to John Brian, Thomas Merston* and John Sandwell, the last being a relation of his, quite likely a son. Nevertheless, he evidently continued to live in the borough, witnessing a deed there in 1408 and being present at the local parliamentary election of 1417.4

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: Charles Kightly

Notes

  • 1. Reg. Black Prince, iv. 50; CAD, i. C428, 1118; HMC 5th Rep. 561.
  • 2. CPL, iv. 482.
  • 3. L.J. Ashford, Hist. Wycombe, 43. 47; Cal. Letter Bk. London, H, 171; CCR, 1385-9, pp. 322-3, 487.
  • 4. First Ledger Bk. High Wycombe (Bucks. Rec. Soc. xi), 40; HMC 5th Rep. 563; CPL, iv. 482; CCR, 1405-9, p. 467; C219/12/2.