SOOME, Robert (by 1468-1522/24), of Lynn, Norf.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1515

Family and Education

b. by 1468, yr. s. of John Soome of Lynn. m. Christiana.2

Offices Held

Chamberlain, Lynn 1489-90, common councilman 1491-1508, constable 1498-1506, jurat 22 Sept. 1508-d., coroner 1509-10, j.p. 1512, mayor 1514-15.3

Biography

Lynn complied only in part with the King’s request that the Members of the Parliament of 1512 should be re-elected to its successor of 1515: the town re-elected Thomas Wythe but replaced Francis Monford by the serving mayor Robert Soome. The change may have been imposed by Monford’s adoption on this occasion by the city of Norwich, but Soome was an obvious choice both as mayor and as one of the delegation—Wythe being another—appointed by Lynn in November 1514 to contest the bishop of Norwich’s claims to jurisdiction in the town. Whether he or Wythe pursued the matter during their attendance in the Commons is not known, but Soome informed the town assembly of the proceedings on his return after its prorogation and eventual dissolution.4

Soome followed his father and elder brother Edmund into trade. He was admitted a freeman in 1489 and immediately made chamberlain. His municipal life followed the usual progression. Early in his career he combined a post in the customs with his own business and town affairs and it was as ‘merchant, late customer’ that in 1510 he sued out a general pardon. In 1506 he leased the water of the Kettlemill from the town authorities for use in his brewhouse in the messuage called the Swan on the Grassmarket. After September 1522 his name ceases to be listed among the jurats of Lynn and during 1523-4 the rent for the Kettlemill water was paid by his widow. If he made a will it has not been found.5

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Roger Virgoe

Notes

  • 1. Lynn congregation bk. 4, f. 151.
  • 2. Date of birth estimated from admission as freeman. PCC 13 Vox; Lynn chamberlains’ accts. 1523-4.
  • 3. Lynn congregation bk. 3, p. 563; 4, ff. 18v, 75v, 88, 91v, 142v; LP Hen. VIII, i.
  • 4. Lynn congregation bk. 4, ff. 146v, 151, 152v, 171.
  • 5. PCC 13 Vox; Lynn congregation bks. 3 and 4 passim; chamberlains’ accts. 1523-4; Lynn Freemen (Norf. Arch.), 68; LP Hen. VIII, i.