THORNEFF, Francis (b.c.1515), of Stamford, Lincs.

Thorneff held a minor court office under both Mary and Elizabeth, but whether he came into Parliament for Stamford through his own local standing or through some connexion with Sir William Cecil has not been ascertained. If a connexion with Cecil antedated Queen Mary’s reign, both Thorneff’s court job and his return for Stamford would be accounted for. At any rate, Thorneff voted against a government bill in 1555, was granted leave of absence on 12 Mar. 1563 for his affairs in the Queen’s service, and in that year quarrelled with John Houghton, his parliamentary colleague, which resulted in Thorneff’s being deprived of the freedom of Stamford in 1566. After this date nothing more is known about him.3CPR, 1553-4, p. 452; E159/333, xci (adhuc com. s. hil. 1 Mary); C3/178/72; Neale, Commons, 206; Guildford Mus. Loseley 1331/2; Stamford hall bk. 1566; Lansd. 3, f. 193; CJ, i. 69.