NORTHLEIGH, William

Northleigh probably hailed from the vill of the same name in the parish of Goodleigh to the immediate east of Barnstaple. Few details of his career have been discovered, but in view of the proximity of his residence it is probable that he cut a familiar figure among the burgesses of Barnstaple who returned him to Parliament in 1432. He is not known to have held office either locally or under the Crown, but during the 1440s he was frequently empanelled on the juries presenting the inquisitions post mortem of local landowners, including those of John Mules*, Sir William Palton* and Henry Beauchamp, duke of Warwick. He is last recorded in this capacity in May 1450, and may have died not long after.2 C139/108/21; 110/37; 115/32; 116/41; 123/43; 134/23; 140/28.