| Constituency | Dates |
|---|---|
| York | [1421 (Dec.)], [1426], 1431 |
Attestor, parlty. elections, York 1417, 1422, 1423, 1425, 1427, 1429, 1432, 1433, 1435, 1437.
Chamberlain, York 3 Feb. 1411–12; sheriff Mich. 1414–15; member of the council of 24 by June 1417 – bef.Jan. 1425; of the council of 12 by Jan. 1425 – d.; mayor 3 Feb. 1425–6, 1433 – 34.
Commr. York Nov. 1424 – Aug. 1433; of gaol delivery May 1428, June 1431, Feb. 1432, Feb. 1434.1 C66/423, m. 19d; 430, m. 9d; 431, m. 8d; 435, m. 19d.
More may be added to the earlier biography.2 The Commons 1386-1421, iii. 879-80.
As sheriff of York, Ormshead appeared before the barons of the Exchequer in Hilary term 1415 to answer charges brought by the collectors of the wool customs in Kingston-upon-Hull. They alleged that he and his colleague, Richard Spencer, had failed to act on writs of capias concerning three York merchants who owed them money. They claimed damages of 100 marks against the sheriffs, but the latter denied ever receiving the writ.3 E13/131, rot. 8d.
Few pieces of evidence survive to show the extent of Ormshead’s involvement in overseas trade, but in 1430-1 he exported 10½ unfinished cloths from Hull. His true personal wealth probably exceeded the £18 p.a. he was assessed at in land towards the parliamentary subsidy of 1435.4 E122/61/32; E179/217/42.
Along with his wife and the alderman Thomas Gare*, Ormshead appointed as his executors John Karr*, Nicholas Wispington* (who had married one of his kinswomen), the armourer John Norton, and his own servant John Fell.5 Borthwick Inst., Univ. of York, York registry wills, prob. reg. 2, f. 504.