CLERK, William IV, of Northampton.

In his official capacity as bailiff, Clerk brought a lawsuit against two men from Abingdon (Berkshire), who, in July 1413, obtained a writ of supersedeas and were thus able to halt the legal proceedings. His duties also required that he should take part in the parliamentary elections for the borough, and in May 1413 he accordingly helped to draw up the official return of Members. He later acted as a surety for his fellow burgess, Geoffrey Balde, on his entry to the Commons of 1414 (Nov.), and he performed a similar service for Stephen Kynnesman, who represented Northampton seven years later. He appeared, meanwhile, among the feoffees-to-uses of certain property in the Northamptonshire village of Maidwell, which, in September 1412, he and his co-trustees conveyed to Sir John Seyton, the lord of the manor.2CCR, 1413-19, p. 81; Add. Ch. 22254 (where he is described as a mercer).