CAGER, Thomas

Before his first appearance as an MP, Cager was employed by successive sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex to assist them in their duties. In July 1455 he appeared as an attorney in the Exchequer for the former sheriff John Devenish* who had allegedly failed to pay (Sir) Roger Lewknor* the sum due to him as wages as a knight of the shire in the Parliament of 1453-4,3 E5/535. and he served Thomas Basset* as his under sheriff in 1457-8. Clearly a man of some standing in Surrey and Sussex, at an unknown date after Easter 1459 he was appointed bailiff of the abbot of Westminster’s estates in those counties, a post he held for more than 20 years. Although he was returned to Parliament for boroughs in both counties, Cager’s presence in the Parliament of 1460 as one of the representatives for New Shoreham is more doubtful as his name survives only on the brief schedule of Sussex MPs, rather than on the indenture itself, which recorded instead the election of Richard Spert*. His strongest ties do indeed appear to have been with Surrey, and, as well as serving on two royal commissions there, he attested the county election of 1467.4 C219/16/6, 17/1. On one occasion, when fined at the Exchequer, he was described as ‘of Surrey, gentleman’.5 E405/56, rot. 2. Moreover, he was connected with some important individuals in the county: in February 1465 he joined John, Lord Berners, and Nicholas Gaynesford* as a recipient of a gift of goods and chattels made by a resident of Guildford.6 CCR, 1461-8, p. 270. He was also active in Southwark, and it was as ‘of Southwark’ that in 1467 he stood surety in the court of common pleas for a London cordwainer. In February 1474 he and Robert Kirton entered into an indenture with Sir John Fastolf’s executors concerning the administration of the latter’s property in the town.7 CP40/824, rot. 423d; F. Blomefield, Norf. xi. 208.

Nothing is known of Cager after 1481, and it is possible that he died before Easter 1482 when he was replaced as the abbot of Westminster’s bailiff.8 E368/255, rot. 3d.