Family and Education

Offices Held

Biography

Comparatively little is known about this MP, who was, perhaps, the son of Simon Grimsby I*, one of the leading figures in Hull during our period. The two men certainly shared more than just a name, for twice, in January 1409 and December 1412, Walter offered sureties in the court of Chancery on behalf of his more influential kinsman. He was also on friendly terms with Thomas Swan, another local burgess, for whom he stood bail, in April 1412, when the latter challenged a sentence of excommunication pronounced upon him by the archbishop of York. It seems more than likely that Walter owed his two returns to Parliament to family connexions, since he otherwise played little part in the affairs of the borough. He last appears in February 1418 as one of the witnesses to the will of John Wisdom of Hull.2

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: C.R.

Notes

• 1. W. Prynne, Brevia Parliamentaria Rediviva, iv. 1020.
• 2. CCR, 1405-9, p. 487; 1409-13, pp. 333, 409; Borthwick Inst. York, York registry wills iii, f. 606v.