DYNE, John

Dyne was not identified in the earlier biography, which also failed to note his return to the Parliament of 1423.2 The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 816.

It is possible that the MP in these ten Parliaments, spread over a period of more than 40 years, was not the same man in every case. However, the John Dyne who gave evidence at East Grinstead at the proof of age of Thomas St. Cler on 6 Mar. 1424, just a week after the dissolution of the Parliament of 1423-4, was said to be 70 years old.3 C139/13/50. If indeed the same John Dyne had sat in 1383, he would have attended his first Parliament when aged about 29. Dyne had been present at St. Cler’s baptism at East Grinstead, and before he attested that the young heir had attained his majority he was listed as a juror at inquests regarding the St. Cler estates on three other occasions, in July and November 1423 and in January 1424 (the last two when Parliament was in session).4 C139/3/30.

It is uncertain if he was the man of this name, a butcher living in East Grinstead, who with his wife Joan was engaged in suits in the court of common pleas at Easter term 1425 against a husbandman named Laurence Trower. They alleged that in the reign of Henry V Trower had assaulted Joan at Wadhurst; while Trower in turn accused them of stealing his crops, worth £5.5 CP40/657, rots. 176, 384.