Thrale/Thrall history

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condition that he kept the testator's obit in the Church of Luton.

Prominent during the first half of the 16th Century was Michael Thrale, who, whilst being at one time an Under Sheriff of Hertfordshire, was involved in many Chancery cases, many of them indicating Michael's obviously spleenful nature. Apparently a gentleman, he was born about 1512 at a place called Farley alias St. Lukes, and later lived at Luton Hoo.¹⁷ At Hertford he was accused of rigging a Jury when Under Sheriff whilst dealing with a dispute over tithe pay at North Mimms.¹⁸ In a further case Michael did not panel jurors as to a wrongful entry into a messuage in Luton and called the plaintiff, Robert Dalderne "a false perpetual knave".¹⁹ Robert Dalderne was later supervisor of Richard Thrale's will in 1572 so obviously he was well enmeshed in Thrale family affairs. Michael was in conflict with a whole bevy of citizens concerning the marking of timber.²⁰ More conflict was with Richard Farmer, merchant of the Staple of Calais, over Luton Hoo and the mill called Stapleford. Farmer served his writ not only against Michael but also William Collyn, and one wonders if this was the son of John Collyn mentioned earlier.²¹

Further suits against Michael Thrale and his wife Elizabeth were made by Edward Hickman of Hawnes over land in that place²² and then he in turn sued Edward Bardolf of Harpenden, gentleman. Following this he had to answer complaints by John Pruddon, a miller of Luton, concerning the sale of forty sheep. This was whilst Michael was at Thrales Purslayes in 1564²³ In spite of all this acrimony Michael Thrale was M.P. for Bedford Town with William Johnson in 1542 and how he found time to follow other activities besides that of litigation is cause for wonderment.

Another Thrale of this time was George who died in 1528. He was the son of William Thrale and had married Elizabeth Frankeleyn and left a daughter Joan aged 3 years old²⁴ William Arden of Haverings was later guardian to this little girl.²⁵ Two years previously George, described as a yeoman, had been sued by Walter Phylip of Clarton Well, Middx, for non-delivery of malt at Clerkenwell.²⁶

Having indicated the background to the family it might be thought timely to leave the story of this particular branch, but it is also the time when complete genealogies begin to emerge and a very exact knowledge of the family's movements in London become known. It would therefore be wasteful of interest and knowledge not to record the activities of these Bedfordshire folk for a little while longer. Richard Thrale of

Footnotes

17. Chancery Towns Deps. P.R.O. C.24.↩︎
18. St. Chamber 2/33/37.↩︎
19. St. Chamber Vol.12 page 43.↩︎
20. Proc. Edward VI St. Chamber 18/89, 100 and 104.↩︎
21. Ch. Proc. Series II 137/73.↩︎
22. Ch. Bills & Answers James I C2 28/69.↩︎
23. Ch. Pro. Series II 137/73.↩︎
24. Exchequer Inquisition Post Mortem (ultra violet light only).↩︎
25. Austin Vol.III 250/251.↩︎
26. Ch. Proc. C 1/558/7.↩︎