WALKER, Christopher (d.1590), of Bodmin, Cornw.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

m. bef. 1572, Elizabeth (d.1589), da. of one Clickerd, 1s. 1da.

Offices Held

Town clerk, Bodmin from 1568, mayor 1573-4.

Biography

Whether this Member was the Christopher Walker of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, who matriculated at King’s College in 1552, or whether he was a member of the Walker family of Exeter, his connexion with Bodmin was well established by 1568 when he was paid for his work over an Exchequer suit in which he had succeeded in freeing the mayor and burgesses from the obligation of paying £5 10s.p.a. imposed upon them, as a fee farm rent, by the borough charter of 1563. No record of formal legal education has been found. After 22 years as town clerk of Bodmin, Walker was succeeded by his son-in-law Nicholas Sprey, and subsequently by his grandson and namesake Christopher Walker. His sole appearance in the Commons was at the end of his life, for Tregony, probably through the influence of the Pomeroys or Trevanions. He left no trace in the proceedings of the Parliament.

Walker’s will, made in July 1590, was proved four months later. He wished to be buried at Bodmin, and left 20s. to the poor of the parish and a similar sum to the poor of Egloshayle, five miles to the north. His estate was to be divided among his children and grandchildren.

Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 432; Al. Cant. i(4), 316; J. Maclean, Trigg Minor, i. 39, 160, 213, 236, 239, 254, 293, 294; APC, xviii. 147, 198; PCC 75 Drury.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: Irene Cassidy

Notes