BRIGHAM, Robert

Brigham’s father and namesake was one of the most prominent Cambridge townsmen of his day. Mayor in 1378-9, his involvement in the great revolt of 1381 could have ended a promising career, but the King pardoned him and he served four more terms in the office during the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV. He died before 1411-12, when his widow and son sold 13 acres in the fields of Cambridge and Barnwell in execution of his will.3 The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 356-7.

Unless there was another man of the same name, it was the MP who received a royal pardon covering all felonies and other offences in December 1411,4 CPR, 1408-13, p. 357. and who was associated with John Knapton* of Cambridge as a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit of the same period.5 CCR, 1409-13, p. 314. As far as the evidence goes, it was not until the mid 1430s that he became active as an office-holder, possibly because he had spent a considerable amount of time in France. Notwithstanding his mercantile background, in the spring of 1430 he had received letters of protection as a member of the retinue of Sir John Cobham.6 DKR, xlviii. 275.

A prosperous man like his father, Brigham possessed holdings in Cambridgeshire worth £12 p.a. and rented other land from the borough of Cambridge.7 Cambs. Archs., Cambridge bor. recs., treasurers’ accts., 1433-6, City/PB Box X/70/8-10. He must have interests in Bedfordshire as well, for it was as ‘of Beeston’ in that county as well as ‘of Cambridge’ that Richard Tretharapp sued him at Westminster in the mid 1430s for trespass.8 CP40/699, rot. 260. Brigham disappears from view after his election to Parliament.