Family and Education

b. by 1514, 3rd s. of Sir William Herbert of Troy by Blanche, da. and coh. of Simon Milborne of Tillington, Herefs.; bro. of Charles. m. (1) prob. da. of George Catesby of Lapworth, Warws., s.p.; (2) Anne, da. of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, Warws., 5s. inc. Henry^† 4da. Kntd. 1573.1

Offices Held

Serviator of Grace Dieu abbey, coroner of Tintern abbey and steward of Chepstow priory, Mon. in 1535; j.p. Mon. 1543, 1555-d.; commr. subsidy, Mon. 1546; relief 1550, goods of churches and fraternities 1553, piracy 1577; sheriff 1559-60, 1571-2.2

Biography

Before the Dissolution Thomas Herbert held office in three monasteries in the Welsh marches. In 1545 he and William Breton bought the site and various possessions of one of these, Grace Dieu, for £517, as well as ex-monastic property in the Fenlands, Herefordshire and London. Although Herbert’s public career was confined to Monmouthshire, his two marriages gave him some standing in Warwickshire. After 1550 his position in his own shire was strengthened first by the financial troubles which overtook his eldest brother Charles, on whose death in 1557 he bought the manor of Wonastow, one of two set aside for the payment of debts, and then by the death of the next brother without male issue. It was Charles Herbert whom he succeeded as knight of the shire in Mary’s second Parliament. He was to win a contested election in 1559 but thereafter his only contribution to the Commons was the son Henry whom he returned as sheriff in 1572. He died on 8 Oct. 1588.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: P. S. Edwards

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. Bradney, Mon. i.(1). 38; Vis. Warws. (Harl. Soc. xii), 126, 287; C142/220/87.
• 2. Val. Eccles, iv. 361, 371-2; LP Hen. VIII, xviii; E179/148/29; CPR , 1553, pp. 360, 418.
• 3. LP Hen. VIII, xx; E159/340, Hilary 7; C142/220/87.