Family and Education

Offices Held

Biography

William Randall was chosen by his fellow-townsmen to be their junior Member in the third Parliament of Mary's reign; one of Weymouth's two bailiffs (the returning officiers for the election) was one Robert Randall and his fellow-Member John Phelips, left the Parliament early without having first obtained permission, and during the Easter term of 1555 they were informed against in the King's bench. A writ of venire facias was directed to the sheriff of Somerset and Dorset, but no further process is recorded. Both on the election indenture and in the indictment Randall is styled 'the younger' to distinguish him from his namesake in the town, a merchant, who had held municipal office earlier and who was perhaps his father. Nothing more has come to light about Randall; his experience at Westminster did not apparently lead to other duties at Weymouth although men of that name continued to hold office in the town during the next few decades.2

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Helen Miller

Notes

• 1. Huntington Lib. Hastings mss Parl. pprs.; C219/282/13.
• 2. KB27/1176 rex roll 16; C219/24/55, 25/38, 282/13; St.Ch.2/32/95; LP Hen VIII, vi; LR6/12/1; E122/122/5.