HEIGHES (HEIS), Henry (by 1534-60/61), of Binsted, Hants.

Henry Heighes came of a family of minor gentry in Hampshire which did not achieve any prominence during the 16th century. Nothing has been discovered of his upbringing and early life, but it is almost certain that by the time of his return to Parliament in 1555 he was a household servant of Anthony Browne I, Viscount Montagu, who owned Midhurst borough. That Heighes was a nominee is shown by the fact that his name was inserted on the return in a space left for that purpose; his fellow-Member then and in 1559 was Montagu’s steward William Denton. In 1557 Montagu made a fine with Denton and Heighes of the manor of Swarraton, Hampshire.2C219/24/159; CPR, 1555-7, p. 329; Barbican House, Lewes, BA 282.

After sitting in Elizabeth’s first Parliament Heighes accompanied Montagu on a mission to Spain in 1560 but died shortly after his return. His will of January 1560 was proved in March 1561.3PCC 9 Loftes.