NOTTE, Thomas

The Notte family held ‘Winters Court’ in Corsham from the early fifteenth century, as well as other property nearby,1 Wilts. Arch. Mag. xliii. 534-5. yet few documentary references to Thomas or other members of the family survive. Nor is it clear how Thomas came to be returned for the borough of Great Bedwyn, situated at some distance from his home. Perhaps links with the influential lawyer Thomas Tropenell*, his neighbour at Neston in the same parish of Corsham, had something to do with it. He witnessed deeds for Tropenell in March 1451 (while his Parliament was still in session), and also in August and September that year.2 Tropenell Cart. ed. Davies, i. 125-9; ii. 154. In July 1453, as Thomas Notte ‘senior’, he headed the body of jurors at a view of frankpledge held at Corsham, who provided proof of past ownership of Tropenell’s property there, and in August the following year when the local bailiff called a jury of 24 from the leading men of his bailiwick, he, Thomas ‘junior’ and John Notte were all among them. The findings, supporting Tropenell’s title, were duly recorded in the lawyer’s cartulary.3 Ibid. i. 12-15, 33-36. Links between the two families continued for at least 50 years longer.4 CCR, 1500-9, no. 314.