GREVET, Thomas

Grevet may have already been serving as common clerk for Winchelsea by the autumn of 1430, when he witnessed deeds in the town on behalf of Richard Lundeneys* and for the endowment of the chantry of St. Nicholas in the parish church by William Skele†.3 Ibid. f. 40v; Cat. Winchelsea Recs. ed. Dell, 82. His repeated elections to the office for several years starting the following Easter are recorded in the surviving part of the Port’s register; indeed, as clerk he was no doubt responsible for the careful keeping of this same record of Winchelsea’s affeirs. During his time in office he also took on the responsibility of supervising repairs to the walls of Winchelsea, as one of two wardens assigned the task. He represented the Port at Brodhulls in December 1433 and April 1441.4 White and Black Bks. of Cinque Ports (Kent Rec. Ser. xix), 2, 14.

Little is known about Grevet’s private concerns, or of his property, although he did own a quay in ‘Le Trecherie’ at Winchelsea, and as a Portsman he could claim exemption from parliamentary taxation on his moveable possessions outside the liberty, at Udimore, Pett and Icklesham.5 Cott. Julius BIV, f. 48v; E179/225/50; 226/69; 227/94. How he came to be elected to Parliament for the borough of New Shoreham, several miles away along the coast to the west, remains uncertain, and he is not otherwise recorded in connexion with that place or its inhabitants. However, it should be noted that the links between the ports of Winchelsea and Shoreham were close. The Parliament concerned assembled while he was still town clerk of Winchelsea. He was replaced in this post ‘per voce’ of the community in the spring of 1445, in favour of Thomas Vestynden* of Hastings.6 Cott. Julius BIV, f. 73. Whatever the reason for his dismissal, Grevet remained living in the locality, for from July to September 1446 he was a feoffee of land in the liberties of Winchelsea and Pevensey on behalf of William Morfote*.7 Huntington Lib. San Marino, California, Battle abbey mss, deeds 934, 978, 980.