Thrale history

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A Newer Thraliana (2005)

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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 message 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 timber²⁰ 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 earlier²¹.

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 old.²⁴ 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 Thrales End had died in 1573 leaving three sons, Richard, Thomas and John, and six daughters.²⁷ Richard, the younger, inherited the house and lands at New Mill End when of age and the other two certain property. Robert Daldorne, already mentioned, was to have the best sheep he could choose from Richard's flock and sons of the daughters were to receive 'an old angel'. Brother Thomas was to have 5 bushels of the best wheat. Richard Thrale, the son and inheritor of New Mills End, died a decade or so later in 1588 leaving like his father a young family under age, John being the eldest son. Among certain legacies were pewter platters and flaxen sheets.²⁸ Richard's brother John Thrale had ventured his fortune in London and had established himself at the time of his death in 1589 at the 'Bores Head in Olde Fishstreete' and wished to be buried in the Church of Marie Magdalens of the same street.²⁹ The Boars Head was to be passed from father to son for a considerable time. John left the property to his son John but he mentioned in his will all his Thrales End kin, one of the youngsters acting as his servant. His legacies included 'one hundred owncers in plate' to his son, and a standing bedstead and feather bed with coverlet to his daughter Margaret. It is worthy of note that the Church of St. Mary Mounthaw was situated in Old Fish Street Hill, Thames Street, near to the Queen Hithe. The Church was newly built and enlarged in 1609 and Thomas Thrale, rector in 1630, was sequestered. In 1666 it was destroyed by the Great Fire and not rebuilt and the parish was annexed to St. Mary Somerset.³⁰

John Thrale's successor to ownership of the 'Bore's Head tavern in Old Fish Street' was his eldest son John upon his death in 1616.³¹ He left a large family and is described as a yeoman of Hoggesdon, Middlesex. Even by 1672 The Old Boars Head was in the Thrale family holding, but alas, the original building had been burned down in the Great Fire. Richard Thrale at this time had a great deal of trouble as disclosed in the Read v. Dixon deposition, and he was probably the last member of the family connected with the Boar's Head Tavern. The deposition discloses:³² Dispute about the ownership of two houses in Old Fish Street, London. Richard Thrale of St. Botolph's Aldgate, citizen and grocer of London, aged 37 and upwards, sworn 5 July 1672, said that he had known the parties for 14 or 15 years and that he very well knew the late Richard Thrale of Mile End,

Footnotes

17. Chancery Town Deps. P.R.O. C.24.↩︎
18. St. Chamber 2/33/37.↩︎
19. St. Chamber Vo1.12 page 43.↩︎
20. Proc. Edward VI St. Chamber 18/89, 100 and 104.↩︎
21. Ch. Proc. Series II 98/26.↩︎
22. Ch. Bills & Answers James I C2 28/69.↩︎
23. Ch. Proc. 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.↩︎
27. P.C.C. 13 Peter.↩︎
28. Ibid.↩︎
29. P.C.C. 75 Leicester.↩︎
30. Notes & Queries 11. 6. 49.↩︎
31. P.C.C. Oxford Wills (originals). Principal Probate Reg. London.↩︎
32. Cha. Deps. 30 (C2 - 4/975).↩︎