Family and Education

2nd s. of William Hall of Leventhorpe, Yorks. by Elizabeth, da. and h. of Roger Dyneley of Manston. m. Isabel, da. of Alderman George Gale of York by Mary, da. of Robert Lord of Kendal, Westmld.

Offices Held

Freeman, York c.1532; member, York merchant adventurers 1532, gov. 1557-9; chamberlain, York 1538-9, sheriff 1553-4, alderman 1556, ld. mayor 1558-9, 1576-7.

Biography

Hall was classified as ‘a favourer of religion’ in 1564 and it was during his second mayoralty that the city authorities began to fine for non-attendance at church and to clamp down on recusancy. On 9 Apr. 1568 he petitioned either to be discharged from being alderman, or else to be excused serving as mayor for eight years to come. This latter request was granted, but it did not save him from being elected to Parliament a second time in 1571, and he was elected mayor in 1576 at the end of his eight years’ grace. The journals of the House mention him only once, referring to him as ‘Mr. Hall of York’, when he was appointed to the committee concerning the town of Bristol (12 Apr. 1571). Hall died in December 1577.

Dugdale’s Vis. Yorks. ed. Clay, i. 209; Vis. Yorks. (Harl. Soc. xvi), 131-2; York Freemen (Surtees Soc. xcvi), 251, 257, 278; (cii), 17; York City Lib. Skaife mss; York Mercers (Surtees Soc. cxxix), 165, 328; D’Ewes, 162; York Civic Recs. passim; Cam. Misc.ix(3), p. 72.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N.M.S.

Notes