MICHELBORNE, Thomas (d.1582), of Gray's Inn, London; later of Winchester, Hants.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

3rd s. of John Michelborne of Westmeston, Suss. by Joan, da. of Richard Hother of Ditchling, Suss. educ. Christ’s, Camb. 1550; G. Inn 1551, called. m. c.1560, Alice, da. and h. of William Lawrence of Winchester, wid. of one Warren, 4s. 4da.

Offices Held

Of counsel to Winchester; ancient, G. Inn 1570; escheator, Hants and Wilts. 1570-1; j.p. Hants from 1579.

Biography

Though he received land in Hampshire, Sussex, Wiltshire and Yorkshire at the time of his marriage, for some years afterwards Michelborne evidently lived in London, practising as a barrister. He was not resident in Winchester when he first represented the city in 1563, probably being introduced by his father-in-law, his fellow-Member. However, he moved there in 1571, leasing some property from the city, including a large house in Parchment Street. Soon after his arrival he was made a freeman, without payment and on the understanding that he would not be called upon to hold municipal office. He was also granted the lease of some property in Buck Street, on condition that he would serve as MP throughout the next Parliament for only 1s.4d. a day. During the 1572 Parliament he sat on a committee concerning the engrossing of wool (1 Mar. 1576). Finally, in 1574 it was agreed that Michelborne should rank as though he had been mayor, though without precedence over ex-mayors. Towards the end of his life Michelborne and his heirs were given a perpetual lease of his house in Parchment Street for £2 a year.

Michelborne died at Otterbourne, just outside Winchester, 29 Dec. 1582, being buried at St. Maurice’s, Winchester. He had made his will earlier that month, having already settled most of his lands on his eldest son, Lawrence. His house in Parchment Street and lands in New Alresford and Petersfield went to his wife for life with remainder to his second son Edward, the Latin poet, who also received the Wiltshire manor of Manton, subject to the provision of £200 apiece for his three unmarried sisters. To his youngest sons, John and Thomas, Michelborne bequeathed lands in Yorkshire and Sussex, and provided for his married daughter from his lands in Holderness. His wife was sole executrix unless she remarried, in which event, Michelborne’s brother was to be the executor. The overseer was John Fisher of Chilton Candover, Hampshire. The probate, originally granted in May 1583, was annulled, a new grant being made on 10 Feb. 1584.

Suss. Arch. Colls. l. 97-9; Vis. Hants (Harl. Soc. lxiv), 113; Yorks. Arch. Soc. Rec. Ser. ii, 231; VCH Suss. ix. 55; VCH Hants, iii. 98; CJ, i. 109; D’Ewes, 251; DNB (Michelborne, Edward); PCC 24 Rowe.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: Patricia Hyde

Notes

  • 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament.