Family and Education

s. of Peter Cuddon I* and bro. of Peter II*. m. 1s. Richard†.

Offices Held

Bailiff, Dunwich Sept. 1393-4, 1395-6, 1401-3, 1411-12.1

Biography

It was an older Robert Cuddon, probably the MP’s uncle, who was frequently bailiff of Dunwich between 1373 and 1395, and who made the returns to the Parliament of 1395 recording the election of his namesake. For the bailiff named on the schedule then sent to Chancery was called ‘senior’, whereas Robert Cuddon the parliamentary burgess was designated ‘junior’ in the years of his bailiffships of 1393-4 and 1395-6. At the Dunwich elections to the Parliament of 1397 (Jan.) the younger Robert acted as mainpernor for Peter Helmeth.2

In January 1403 Cuddon contributed 9s. towards the first half of the parliamentary subsidy granted the year before, and was then living in St. Leonard’s parish in Dunwich, like his brother Peter. In association with Peter he was a co-feoffee of land and a windmill near Darsham in 1407; and in the following year he was party to a transaction whereby Peter apparently purchased lands at Worlingham, Beccles and Eleigh. They were assisted on both occasions by William Phelip* of Dennington, an important friend of the family and a member of the King’s household.3

Cuddon attested the Dunwich returns to the Parliaments of 1410 (when his brother was elected), 1413 (May) and 1414 (Nov.); and during his last term as bailiff he was responsible for making returns to that of 1411.4 He died before April 1427 when his son Richard was holding property, including a shop in the market worth 21d. a year, which had once belonged to him.5 Richard represented Dunwich in the Parliaments of 1431 and 1449 (Feb.).

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: K.N. Houghton

Notes

• 1. E368/167-9, 175-6, 185.
• 2. T. Gardner, Hist. Dunwich, 78; E368/152, 155, 158-9; C219/9/7, 11, 12.
• 3. Add. Ch. 40704; CCR, 1405-9, p. 365; CP25(1)223/112/3.
• 4. C219/10/5, 6, 11/1, 4.
• 5. SC11/886.