Constituency Dates
Bedford 1449 (Feb.), 1449 (Nov.), 1453
Offices Held

Attestor, parlty. election, Bedford 1450.

Bailiff, Bedford 1454 – 55, 1457–8.1 E368/227, rot. 9; 228, rot. 3; 230, rot. 6d.

?Bailiff and parker at Winfarthing, Norf. for Edmund Grey, earl of Kent, by Mich. 1467.2 Grey of Ruthin Valor ed. Jack, 136.

Address
Main residence: Bedford.
biography text

Now a very obscure figure, Hugh received a royal pardon, describing him as ‘of Bedford, yeoman, alias late of Bedford, husbandman’, in November 1452.3 C67/40, m. 17. This wording might suggest he was a burgess of little status, but notwithstanding his obscurity he was of sufficient local prominence to represent the town in at least three Parliaments and to hold office as one of its bailiffs.

In the late 1460s, Edmund Grey, earl of Kent, employed a Hugh John as his bailiff and parker at Winfarthing, with a fee of 40s. p.a. It is possible that this was the Bedford man, since Grey was a magnate with substantial interests in Bedfordshire.4 Grey of Ruthin Valor, 5, 42, 136-40.

Author
C.E.M.
Volume
Commons 1422-1461
Notes
  • 1. E368/227, rot. 9; 228, rot. 3; 230, rot. 6d.
  • 2. Grey of Ruthin Valor ed. Jack, 136.
  • 3. C67/40, m. 17.
  • 4. Grey of Ruthin Valor, 5, 42, 136-40.