BRYT, Stephen, of Reigate, Surr.

It is likely that Stephen was related to William Bryt*, who represented the same constituency. He acquired a messuage in Reigate shortly before he was chosen to represent the borough in Parliament in 1427, CP25(1)/232/70/21. and probably also held some land in the neighbourhood for he was described as a ‘yeoman’ in a suit brought in the common pleas in Hilary term 1442. In the plea Maud, widow of Thomas Berrowe, alleged that he had unjustly detained goods worth £18 8s. 8d. CP40/724, rot. 110d. Meanwhile, he had served as a juror at Southwark in June 1440 at the inquisition post mortem of Beatrice, late countess of Arundel, who had a dower interest in the lordship of Reigate. This suggests that he had personal knowledge of its administration. In February 1443 he and two other members of his family were jurors at the post mortem conducted at Reigate on Lord Sudeley’s mother Alice, widow of Sir Thomas Butler† and Sir John Dallingridge†. CIPM, xxv. 379; xxvi. 112.