Thomas Chester (died 1583) facts for kids
Thomas Chester (born around 1524 – died 1583) was an important person in English history. He was a member of Parliament, which is like a big meeting where people make laws for the country. He represented the city of Bristol in 1563 and the area of Gloucestershire in 1572.
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Who Was Thomas Chester?
Thomas Chester came from a rich family in Bristol. His father, William Chester (who died in 1558), was a successful merchant. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods for a living.
Early Life and Career
Thomas Chester started his public service as the sheriff of Bristol in 1559. A sheriff was a local official who helped keep law and order. After this, he was chosen to represent Bristol in Parliament in 1567. This happened when another Member of Parliament (MP), John Walshe, became a judge.
Becoming a Landowner
Thomas Chester became very wealthy and bought a lot of land. One of his big purchases was the manor and hundred of Barton Regis. A manor was a large estate with a big house, and a hundred was an old way of dividing land in England. He also bought the manor of Almondsbury, where his family lived.
Representing Gloucestershire
In 1573, a nobleman named Giles Brydges became the 3rd Baron Chandos. This meant he moved to the House of Lords, so he could no longer be an MP. Thomas Chester was then chosen to take his place as the MP for Gloucestershire. He continued to serve in Parliament, helping to make decisions for the country.
Thomas Chester passed away in Bristol in 1583.
