WESTON, James (c.1525-89), of Lichfield, Staffs.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. c.1525, 4th s. of John Weston of Weeford by Cecily, da. of Ralph Neville and sis. of Ralph, 4th Earl of Westmorland; bro. of Robert. m. Margery, da. of Humphrey Lowe of Lichfield, 3s. 4da.

Offices Held

Bailiff, Lichfield 1562-3; registrar and later chancellor, diocese of Coventry and Lichfield by 1562.

Biography

Weston was a leading Lichfield figure, one of those to whom a warrant was to be addressed in June 1580 for raising musters in the city. Most of his life was spent in the city or in the diocese, whose bishops he served. He was described by Bishop Bentham in 1564 as a man ‘godly and zealous’. He made his will 2 May 1589, and it was proved three weeks later. With sorrowful heart for his transgressions he hoped ‘in perfect faith’ that ‘through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ’ he would have remission of his sins, commending his ‘soul into His merciful hands’. He ordered estates to be sold to pay his debts and legacies.

IMathews thesis; Erdeswick’s Surv. Staffs. 164-5; T Harwood, Church and City of Lichfield, 421; APC, xii. 45; HMC Hatfield, i. 309; PCC 48 Leicester; C142/226/169; Colls. Hist. Staffs. (Wm. Salt Arch. Soc. xiii), 270, 297.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A. M. Mimardière

Notes