Constituency Dates
Oxfordshire [1404 (Jan.)]
Berkshire [1416 (Mar.)], [1423]
Family and Education
b. Radcot, Oxon. 24 June 1363, 2nd s. and event. h. of Sir Thomas Bessels† (d.1378) of Buckland, Berks. by Katherine (d.1406), da. and h. of John Leigh of (Bessels) Leigh and Kingston, Warws. m. (1) bef. May 1384, Joan, da. of Thomas Cateway† of Buscot, Berks.; (2) bef. Oct. 1424, Margery Haines (d. 18 May 1484), s.p. legit. Kntd. 28 June 1387.
Offices Held

Attestor, parlty. elections, Berks. 1407, 1414 (Nov.), 1419, 1420, Oxon. 1413 (May), 1414 (Apr.).

Commr. Berks., Oxon. Dec. 1399 – Nov. 1419.

J.p. Berks. 16 May 1401 – Oct. 1408, Oxon. 26 Apr. 1418 – Jan. 1420, 12 Feb. 1422 – July 1423.

Escheator, Oxon. and Berks. 1 Dec. 1405 – 9 Dec. 1406, 12 Nov. 1414 – 14 Dec. 1415.

Sheriff, Oxon. and Berks. 4 Nov. 1409 – 29 Nov. 1410.

Address
Main residence: Bessels Leigh, Berks.
biography text

To add to the earlier biography,1 The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 216-17. it is important to note that Bessels intended that his sizeable and valuable dwelling in Oxford (then known as ‘Besills Place’ but now as Frewin Hall) should be used to house a college for Premonstratarian canons. However, his death was followed by disputes which eventually led to the sale of the property, and it was the purchaser, Thomas Holden* from Lancashire, who eventually realized his wishes, in part, by the foundation of St. Mary’s College for Augustinian canons. Royal licence was granted in 1435, ten years after Sir Peter’s death.2 Oxoniensia, xliii. 57-58, 64-65.

Author
L.S.C.
Volume
Commons 1422-1461
Notes
  • 1. The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 216-17.
  • 2. Oxoniensia, xliii. 57-58, 64-65.