WALTON, Richard

The identification of the man who represented Barnstaple in 1432 presents some problems, for not only were both he and his parliamentary colleague newcomers to the Commons (as far as it is possible to tell), but the men of Barnstaple were at this period in the habit of returning outsiders. At the same time, Walton was not an uncommon name, and there were several men who also shared the MP’s Christian name active in various parts of England. While it is thus impossible to be certain, the most plausible candidate for identification with the Barnstaple Member of 1432 would seem to be the man who served in France in the retinue of Sir William Bonville* in 1443.1 E101/695/40. This was probably not his first expedition across the Channel, for it is likely to have been he who two years earlier had mustered in the duke of York’s army as part of the retinue of Sir James Butler (heir to the earl of Ormond), and he may likewise have seen previous military service at Dieppe in 1433 as one of the retainers of John Gayton.2 E101/53/33, m. 4; Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, fr. 25770/761.