Family and Education

Offices Held

Tax collector, Berks. Dec. 1417.

Biography

Doubtless a relation, even a son, of William Stapper*, Stephen was perhaps named after the Reading weaver who had paid 18d. as poll tax in 1379. However this may be, in 1408 he was appointed with Roger Hay* and other substantial burgesses to settle a property dispute in Reading; in 1410 and 1417 he witnessed deeds in the town; and in May 1413 he was present at the election to Henry V’s first Parliament. He apparently lived on until about 1435, renting from the commonalty a house in Castle Street until that year.

E179/73/42; CCR, 1405-9, p. 393; Reading Pub. Lib. deed 98; cofferers’ accts. 1429-35; Goring Chs. (Oxon. Rec. Soc. xiv), no. 325; C219/11/2. William Stapper, mayor in 1435-6, may have been his son: Reading Recs. ed. Guilding i. 5.

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: Charles Kightly

Notes