SMYTHE, Charles (d.1587), of Windsor, Berks.

Smythe’s return for St. Albans was almost certainly due to an acquaintance at court, probably Sir Nicholas Bacon. On the other hand Smythe was probably related by marriage to Humphrey Coningsby II, steward of St. Albans, and possibly related to Christopher Smith the 1559 St. Albans MP, variations in spelling of the surname being of no significance.

Smythe was already described as ‘Queen’s servant’ in the letters patent making him bailiff of Princes Risborough. At various times he received further crown grants, several of them in the form of land leases in Yorkshire, and one including a Durham coal mine. He presumably sold or leased this property: none of it is mentioned in the will he made 3 June 1587, proved 26 Oct. He asked to be buried near Walter Fish, in the London church of St. Anthony, Budge Row.1Vis. Herts. (Harl. Soc. xxii), 45, 146, 149, 164; CPR, 1558-60, p. 104; 1560-3, p. 214; 1563-6, pp. 190, 202, 418; 1569-72, p. 75; E351/541, 542; Cussans, Herts. xiv. 355-6; R. Clutterbuck, Herts. i. 444; APC, x. 108; PCC 62 Spencer.