BARON, Thomas I

Baron acquired three messuages in the suburbs of Chichester from Thomas and Alice Steere in 1414, and was later described as living in the parish of St. Bartholomew outside the west gate of the city.2 CP25(1)/240/83/10; CP40/651, rot. 483. But it may be assumed that he had resided in Chichester at least since 1408 when he had been elected constable of the staple. He was active as an official of the staple for 11 years in all, and his standing in civic affairs is also suggested by his appearance as a witness to local property transactions.3 W. Suss. RO, diocesan recs., Cap. I/15/6.

Little is recorded about Baron’s private affairs, save that he was a draper and in Michaelmas term 1422 he appeared in person in the court of common pleas to sue the former parson of Racton (some six miles from Chichester) for a debt of £4. Another suit brought in the same court in the following year probably arose from his responsibilities in an otherwise undocumented civic office, perhaps as bailiff or treasurer. On that occasion, he and John Exton* were the defendants in an action started by Sir John Pelham* for non-payment of the sum of 20 marks. This was most likely connected with the annuity Pelham received from the city’s fee farm by grant of the earl of March.4 CP40/635, rot. 288; 647, rot. 83; 651, rot. 483. Baron’s only known election to Parliament came three years after he ceased to be mayor of the staple. Even so, his experience of the office probably counted for much when the citizens made their choice of representatives. He is not recorded after witnessing a deed in June 1430,5 Suss. Arch. Collns. lxxxix. 132. and by Michaelmas term 1432 his widow had married Andrew Maffey* of Lewes.6 CP40/687, rot. 594.