STOCKDALE, Thomas.

Nothing is known for certain about the career of this Member, although he may have been related to the John Stockdale of Middleton in Lonsdale, Westmorland, who was murdered early in the reign of Richard II. Another member of the family, John Stockdale, lived in the royal forest of Inglewood in Cumberland and in 1382 received a royal pardon.CPR, 1381-5, p. 26; C67/29 m. 14. Given the preference shown by the electors of Appleby for parliamentary candidates with professional commitments in the south (commitments which would not only make them more prepared to undertake the long journey to Westminster, but might also induce them to forgo at least part of their expenses), there is a distinct possibility that the Exchequer official, Thomas Stockdale, was in fact chosen to represent the borough in two of Henry V’s Parliaments. Stockdale served as teller of the Exchequer from about April 1409 to July 1430, when he was made clerk of the estreats. He occupied this post for less than a year, however, being chosen by John, duke of Norfolk, to be marshal of the Exchequer in November 1431. His career as a royal bureaucrat spanned the remarkably long period of 50 years in all, for in February 1450 he again changed offices to become deputy chamberlain of the Exchequer. He was finally replaced on 28 Feb. 1459, having either died or retired because of advanced age.PRO List ‘Exchequer Offs.’, 89, 174, 226.