Heytesbury

This borough, which was not incorporated, formed part of the manor of Heytesbury, owned by the Hungerford family until the attainder of Walter, Lord Hungerford of Heytesbury in 1540, when it came into the hands of the Crown. Granted in 1553 to Henry Wheeler (d.1567), a gentleman of the privy chamber, it passed to Hugh Hawker of Heytesbury, who died about 1574 and, as far as is known, never stood for Parliament in this period. Hawker went to some lengths to oblige the Thynnes of Longleat. On 20 Feb. 1571 Hawker wrote to Sir John Thynne:

I perceive by common speech that the parliament proceedeth the 2nd of April, which causeth me to remember that I promised you the nomination of one of the burgesses of Heytesbury ... I am very careful whom I nominate to supply that room. And when I know whom you will appoint I then mind to return the same according to your will. And have appointed the other burgess Mr. Christopher Dodrington whom I think very fit to supply that place and a mighty man to deal in that room. And have willed him to confer with you, for as I would willingly make good choice of them, so mind I not to return any one, but such a one as both were your friend, and such a one as you thought well of. Thus I commit you to God.

Yours to use and command Hugh Hawker

In the event Mr. Dodrington was left out and Thynne returned both Members. Indeed, with one exception, Jasper Moore, a local man, who replaced Sir John Thynne for the last session of the 1572 Parliament, every identified Member for Heytesbury in this period had a connexion with the Thynnes of Longleat. John Bennett has not been identified, but a man of that name had connexions with the Thynnes.2Hoare, Wilts. Heytesbury, 104; CPR Edw. VI, v. 243; PCC 32 Stonard; Wilts. Vis. Peds. (Harl. Soc. cv, cvi), 81-82; Bath mss, Thynne pprs. 3, f. 252.