TYNDALE, William (by 1512-58), of Bristol, Glos.

William Tyndale was born in Lincolnshire but settled in Bristol where following his admission as a freeman in 1538-9 he combined trade in wool with a civic career. Although not known to have been an official of the staple, he was responsible in 1533 for the seizure of Gascon wine for the non-payment of customs at Bristol. During the 1530s and 1540s he carried out numerous tasks on behalf of the corporation. With a house on the Quay he was assessed at £30 on goods towards the subsidy in 1545 and 1547.4Cal. Bristol Apprentices, i. (Bristol Rec. Soc. xiv), 55; Bristol AO, 04026/2/186, 279, 3/182 et passim; E179/114/269, 272; PCC 60 Noodes, 7 Chaynay; LP Hen. VIII, vii.

Tyndale’s Membership of the Parliament of 1538 was the culmination of his career. Nothing is known about his work in the House but on 18 Sept. 1558 he was paid £5 6s. as wages for the first session. Five days before he had made his will providing for his wife, children and kin in Lincolnshire, and he was to die shortly afterwards, probably before the opening of the second session, since his name is marked ‘mortuus’ on the Crown Office list for the Parliament. His death is also reflected in the Bristol chamberlain’s accounts for the year ending Michaelmas 1559 where neither he nor his executors made any payments for the several properties which he leased from the corporation.5C193/32/2; PCC 6 Noodes, 7 Chaynay; Bristol AO, 04026/5/204, 323 et passim.