HODY, Edmund, of Stowell, Som.

The Hodys established themselves at Gothelney in the mid-fifteenth century, and later acquired Stowell. References to namesakes exist as early as 1536 and as late as 1615, but of Hody himself almost nothing has been discovered, nor is it known how he came into Parliament. He can hardly be described as a local man. Perhaps he was in London when the vacancy arose, and Taunton found it convenient to return him for that reason. He is recorded as sitting on one committee (28 Feb. 1576) to discuss the Haberdashers’ bill.Desc. Som. (Som. Rec. Soc. xv), 162; Collinson, Som. i. 240; ii. 379; Vis. Som. (Harl. Soc. xi); Wells Wills, ed. Weaver, 47; Som. Wills, ed. Brown, ser 1, 60; CJ, i. 108.