Family and Education

b. by 1528, ?s. of Robert Moynes by Catherine, da. of William Obley.1

Offices Held

Churchwarden, Bridport 1554-6, cofferer 1555-7, bailiff 1561-2.2

Biography

As John Moynes was a merchant trading from Lyme Regis in 1548-9, he may be identifiable with a Topsham merchant who about the same time brought an action in Chancery over his title to some Exeter property. Moynes became a freeman of Bridport in the first year of Mary’s reign. He had then been living in the town for at least a year, for when he bought several tenements in Weymouth and the moiety of another in a nearby village, in 1552, he was described as John Moynes of Bridport, gentleman.3

Moynes and a fellow-townsman, John Alford, were returned to the Parliament of November 1554 by Bridport, which thus obeyed the royal injunction to choose residents. Since Moynes was to be chosen for Melcombe Regis under Elizabeth at the wish of Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, it is possible he owed his election at Bridport to Russell patronage. Moynes was one of the Members found absent without licence when the House was called early in 1555 and was accordingly proceeded against in the King’s bench. He failed to answer the charge and was distrained 40s. in Michaelmas term 1555 and 3s.4d., 6s.8d. and 6s.8d. in the first three terms of 1556; thereafter the case was allowed to lapse. Moynes was still living in Bridport in 1565, when Clarenceux king of arms visited the town.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Helen Miller

Notes

• 1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. C1/1245/88-89.
• 2. Bridport doom bk. 226, 229, 231, 242: Hutchins; Dorset, ii. 10.
• 3. E122/122/5; C1/1245/88-89; Bridport doom bk. 225; PRO ms cal. deeds enrolled in cp, 1547-55, p. 197.
• 4. KB27/1176-9; The Gen., n.s. ii. 224.