PYLLE, Thomas de la

Pylle’s background is obscure, although it is possible that he came from a family living in Ludgershall, the Wiltshire borough he represented in the Commons.2 Henry Pyle of Ludgershall, a wheeler, was among those indicted in 1451: KB9/133/25. The Parliament was dissolved on 27 Mar. 1442, and it was not until the end of the following year that Pylle secured appointment as joint coroner of the marshalsea of the Household. Yet he may have been retained in the King’s service earlier, and such employment would account for his election to Parliament as well as his acquisition of the post. He shared the grant in survivorship with Robert Fayreford of Southwark, who had officiated as the sole coroner for the previous 26 years. They shared the wages of 8d. a day.3 CPR, 1441-6, pp. 238-9. Their accounts for the period to Mich. 1444 survive: E101/259/8. Despite Fayreford’s seniority, it was Pylle who died first, shortly before 16 Dec. 1450. On that date Robert’s son Alexander Fayreford* obtained a grant for life of the office, initially in partnership with his father.4 CPR, 1446-52, p. 408.