STAPPER (STEPPER), Stephen, of Reading, Berks.

Doubtless a relation, even a son, of William Stapper, Stephen was perhaps named after the Reading weaver who had paid 18d. as poll tax in 1379. However this may be, in 1408 he was appointed with Roger Hay and other substantial burgesses to settle a property dispute in Reading; in 1410 and 1417 he witnessed deeds in the town; and in May 1413 he was present at the election to Henry V’s first Parliament. He apparently lived on until about 1435, renting from the commonalty a house in Castle Street until that year.1E179/73/42; CCR, 1405-9, p. 393; Reading Pub. Lib. deed 98; cofferers’ accts. 1429-35; Goring Chs. (Oxon. Rec. Soc. xiv), no. 325; C219/11/2. William Stapper, mayor in 1435-6, may have been his son: Reading Recs. ed. Guilding i. 5.