Family and Education

b. by 1519, s. of John Kyme II of Lewes. m.1

Offices Held

Servant of William Petre by Apr. 1540-65 or later.

Biography

Kyme was one of Secretary Petre’s most trusted and active servants, and became the chief steward of his household with his own quarters in Petre’s London house as early as 1544. During Mary’s reign he apologized for his absence from a case in the court of requests on the grounds that ‘he was one of the clerks ... of Sir William Petre ... to whom the said John doth and is bound to give his daily intendance concerning your Highness’s affairs and cannot attend to sue for the said premises’. Kyme received £10 under his master’s will provided he aided its execution; Petre’s high opinion of him was evidently shared by several of his associates, who named him in their wills. Early in 1554 Kyme exerted himself to raise men and arms to suppress the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt II, and it was doubtless in recognition of his service under Petre and (Sir) Thomas Wharton II during this crisis that he was returned as the junior Member for a Cornish borough in the following spring, Petre utilizing his connexions in the south west to that end. Kyme was still living in London in the mid 1560s, but sometime before his master’s death he retired to his native town where he had considerable property, including the manor of Southover, and where he became a governor of its grammar school. In a will of 14 Dec. 1569 John Kyme ‘of Lewes, gentleman’ provided for his wife and relatives. He instructed that his debts should be paid, several charities should receive bequests, and his friends should have rings. His sister (who predeceased him) and his niece were appointed executors and his brothers-in-law overseers. Kyme died on 25 Apr. 1585 and was buried four days later in All Saints’ church, Lewes.

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: A. D.K. Hawkyard

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference, LP Hen. VIII, xvi. This biography rests on W. H. Challen ‘Kyme fam. of Lewes’, Suss. Arch. Colls. c.111-36 and F. G. Emmison, Tudor Sec. 154-317 passim.