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CodeP/0023
Datesc.1439-1499
Person NameCotton; Sir; Thomas (c.1439-1499); High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire (1475); of Landwade
SurnameCotton
ForenamesThomas
PreTitleSir
TitleHigh Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire (1475)
Epithetof Landwade
ActivityRemarkably little is known of the life of Sir Thomas Cotton (c.1439-1499), except that he was a landowner in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk who likely did not inherit the manor of Newhall in Boreham, Essex which his father had instructed to be sold upon his death. A Cambridge Alumni Database entry for Leonard Cotton (c.1485-1557) who is likely the son of this man names his father as Thomas of Copped Hall, Essex - a stately home near Epping. Though it is impossible to state definitively due to a lack of corroborating information, the Leonard Cotton in the database was born at Landwade and became a priest which is consistent with him being the son of the current subject. There was a manor of Copped Hall in the Parish of Epping, and it would not be impossible for this to have been held by Thomas Cotton. This would also explain the sixth manor located in Essex which passed to Sir John Cotton (1513-1593). He held the office of High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire in 1475 which indicates he was active in local governance and likely served in other capacities. He was the first of his direct family line to be knighted since his great-great-grandfather which likely suggests he was held in some regard.
RelationshipsFather: William Cotton (d.1455) Vice Chamberlain of King Henry VI
Mother: Alice Abbot (1418-1473) daughter and co-heiress of John Abbot esq.
Spouse: Margaret Wentworth, daughter of Sir Philip Wentworth of Nettlested, Essex
Joan Sharpe, daughter and heiress of Nicholas Sharpe, esq.
Children of First Marriage: Anne Cotton m. Edward D'Oyley
One other daughter
Children of Second Marriage: Sir Robert Cotton (d.1517) m. 1st Dorothy Clere; 2nd Alice Thornburgh
John Cotton
William Cotton m. Margaret Colepeper, father of Sir Thomas Cotton of Kent
Leonard Cotton (c.1485-1557)
Martin Cotton
Dorothy Cotton
Andrea Cotton m. John Basingbourne
Linked entries in the catalogue
RefNoTitle
KP114/28/1Volume of historical notes and cuttings begun by Rev. R.Y. Whitehead, vicar, and continued by others
K588/M/14Roll of estreats of court manors of Coggeshall in Exning, 1499, 1507 (paper), and Exning (Hall), 1509, 1510.
K588/E/7Copy of writ diem clausit extremum of Henry VII to escheator in Suffolk (4 August 1499) and inquisition post mortem held at Ipswich (30 June 1500) into lands of Thomas Cotton, principally Manor of Exning, detailing descent of manor and naming Robert Cotton of full age his heir.
K588/M/3Manor of Coggleshells in Exning (Suffolk). Court Roll
K588/F/39Cole's history of the Cottons of Madingley and Landwade and related families with pen and ink illustrations.
K588/M/27Manor of Coggeshall in Exning: account roll of Thomas Dowe, bailiff and receiver
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