Constituency Dates
Bridport []
Family and Education
b. 1492 /93, s. of William Chard of Bridport, and bro. of William. m. Joan, at least 3s. 1da.1Date of birth estimated from age at brother’s i.p.m., C142/71/184. PCC 17 Pynnyng, 26 Pyckering.
Offices Held

Cofferer, Bridport 1521 – 23, 1530 – 33, 1539 – 40, bailiff 1528 – 29, 1533 – 34, 1537 – 38, 1542 – 43, 1546 – 47, 1551 – 52, 1557 – 58, 1565–6.2Bridport doom bk. 150 passim; Hutchins, Dorset, ii. 10 (misplaces as bailiff, 13 Hen. VIII).

Address
Main residence: Bridport, Dorset.
biography text

Thomas Chard was perhaps named after the rebuilder of Forde abbey, Dorset. By 1543 he had six messuages and 30 acres of land in Bridport and Bradpole, and in 1544 he inherited from his brother William the lease of the bridgehouse and another house in Bridport, with the household stuff there, and a messuage in Essex. His election to the fourth Parliament of Mary’s reign was an extension of his municipal career. By his will, made on 5 Apr. 1575 and proved three months later, he left money to his grandchildren, and the household stuff in the Swan, a burgage in Bridport (comprising a house and garden and five shops) to his youngest son, and named his wife residuary legatee and sole executrix.3RCHM W. Dorset, 240-5; D. Knowles, Rel. Orders in Eng. iii. 24, 37; C1/1011/13-14, 1416-17; LP Hen. VIII, xx; PCC 17 Pynnyng, 26 Pyckering.

Author
H.M.
Volume
Commons 1509-1558
Notes
  • 1. Date of birth estimated from age at brother’s i.p.m., C142/71/184. PCC 17 Pynnyng, 26 Pyckering.
  • 2. Bridport doom bk. 150 passim; Hutchins, Dorset, ii. 10 (misplaces as bailiff, 13 Hen. VIII).
  • 3. RCHM W. Dorset, 240-5; D. Knowles, Rel. Orders in Eng. iii. 24, 37; C1/1011/13-14, 1416-17; LP Hen. VIII, xx; PCC 17 Pynnyng, 26 Pyckering.