Family and Education

b. by 1536.1

Offices Held

Bailiff, Derby 1557-8.2

Biography

A mercer by profession, James Thatcher was probably a member of the local family of that name, two of whom had served as bailiffs of Derby before him. He was a bailiff at the time of his election to Mary’s last Parliament. On 13 June 1558, during the prorogation, he witnessed the sealing of the indenture of sale by George Stringer to William Wandell, a former bailiff, of property in the town. When on his return for the second session in November he reported to the Commons that Derby was ‘sore infected’ he was given leave of absence from the House. He himself survived that visitation only to meet a violent end seven years later. On 12 Sept. 1565, in the course of a quarrel with a fellow-mercer, Ralph Haughton, he received a blow which resulted in his death on the following 30 Nov.; Haughton was indicted for manslaughter, but pleaded that he had acted in self-defence and was pardoned.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: C. J. Black

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference.
• 2. W. Hutton, Derby, 80.
• 3. Ibid. 79-80; Derby Lib. Derbys. deeds 596; CJ, i. 51; CPR, 1563-6, p. 427.