Thomas Smythe Esq (abt. 1522 - 1591)

Born about 1522 in Corsham, Wiltshire, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Alice (Judde) Smythe — married about 1553 in London, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 7 Jun 1591 at about age 69 in City of London, England [uncertain]

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Biography

Despite his modest beginnings, through a judicious marriage, hard work and boldness in business, Thomas Smythe become a wealthy and respected merchant in London, and his pre-eminence in the realm of customs collection led to his nickname of ‘the Customer’. He was a friend and associate of major figures of Elizabethan England including William Cecil.^[1]

Through his own success, and the success of his children (three sons were knighted), his descendants can be found as the Viscounts of Strangford, the Baker Baronets of Sissinghurst, the Viscounts Hatton, the Tyrrell Baronets, the Viscounts Fanshawe, the Fanshawe Baronets of Donamore, the Fanshawe Baronets of Dromore, and the Baronets Ayloffe.

A description of the life of Thomas (Customer) Smythe was published by Wadmore in 1887^[1] and a biography written by Lowe in 1950.^[2]

Origins

Thomas Smythe (or Smith, Smyth) was the second son of John Smyth, a Clothier from Corsham, Wiltshire, and Joan Brounker of Melksham, Wiltshire.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

The date of birth of Thomas is unknown, but based on the details recorded on his own monument in the church of St Mary the Virgin in Ashford, Kent (see below), "And now, full of years, when he had completed his sixty-ninth year", Thomas was probably born in either 1521 or 1522. It is presumed he was born at Corsham, Wiltshire.

In the will of his father, the will made and proved in 1538, Thomas was noted as the second son.^[9] His elder brother was John, and his younger brothers were Henry, Robert and Richard. He also had three sisters; Anne, Jane and Elizabeth. Thomas' sister, Elizabeth (Smythe) Horspoole, was recorded In the Horspoole pedigree in the Visitation of London in 1568 as the daughter of John Smyth of Corsham, Wiltshire.^[4]

Wadmore^[1] stated that Thomas received a farm in the hundred of Amesbury, Wiltshire, from his father. This does not appear in the will of John Smyth of 1538 and Wadmore did not provide a source for this information.

Marriage

Thomas married Alice Judde, daughter of Sir Andrew Judde of St Helen Bishopsgate, City of London.^{[1][2][4][5][6]} The date and place are unknown but the marriage was probably around 1553, and most likely at St Helen Bishopsgate in the City of London, the parish of Sir Andrew Judde.

Thomas married very well as his father in law, a leading member of the Company of Skinners and a Lord Mayor of London in 1550/1551, was a wealthy London merchant. Alice would have received a substantial marriage portion from her father. Moreover, both her brothers appear to have died shortly after her father and hence Alice may have been the principal beneficiary of her father's estates. Thomas Smythe was later recorded as Lord of the Manor of Ashford, Kent, a manor that came from the estate of Sir Andrew Judde^[1]; in possession of the Manor of Barnes, Surrey^[10], also from Sir Andrew Judde, though not before a legal case brought against Alice's stepmother, Dame Mary Judde [Altham]^[11]; and in possession of the Bell Inn, a playhouse on Gracechurch Street in the City of London.^[12]

In the will of Sir Andrew Judde in 1558^[13] it was noted that one of Sir Andrew's properties on Gracechurch Street in the parish of All Hallows (i.e. All Hallows Lombard Street) in the City of London was occupied by Thomas Smythe, Haberdasher.

In the Visitation of London in 1568^[5] Thomas was recorded as the husband of Alice, daughter of Sir Andrew Judde, and father of 11 children. Two further children [Simon and Elizabeth] were born after this time.

Children

Of the thirteen children of Thomas and Alice, eleven were baptised at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London^[14][15], a short walk from their house on Gracechurch Street. The names of the parents were not recorded with the baptisms, but the names of the children baptised and their sequence would indicate that these were the children of Thomas and Alice. It is presumed that the children were born in London, but it is possible that they were born elsewhere and baptised in London.

The children of Thomas and Alice were:

• Mary (baptised Mary Smith on 13 Jun 1554 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; married Robert Davy Esq.)^[6][16]
• Ursula (baptised Ursula Smith on 27 May 1555 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; married Simon Harding then William Boteler Esq.)^[6][17][18]
• Andrew (baptised Andrewe Smith on 01 Aug 1556 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; died unknown)^[4][5]
• [Sir] John (baptised John Smith on 16 Sep 1557 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; died 1608)^[6][19]
• [Sir] Thomas (born 1558 or 1559, died 1625)^{[6][20][21][22]}
• Joan (baptised Joane Smithe on 18 Oct 1560 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; married Thomas Fanshawe Esq)^[6][23]
• Katherine (baptised Katherine Smith on 06 Dec 1561 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; married Sir Rowland Hayward then Sir John Scott)^[6][24][25]
• Henry (born c 1563, died about 1607)^[6]
• Alice (baptised Alice Smith on 21 Dec 1564 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London; married Sir William Harris alias Herris)^[6][26]
• [Sir] Richard (born c 1565, died 1628)^[4][5]
• Robert (baptised Robert Smith on 07 Oct 1567 at All Hallows, Lombard Street, City of London)^[4][5]
• Simon (baptised Symon Smith on 01 Nov 1570 at All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London)^[4][6]
• Elizabeth (baptised Elizabeth Smithe on 10 Feb 1572/1573 at All Hallows, Lombard Street, City of London; married Sir Henry Fanshawe)^[6][23]

Twelve of his thirteen children survived Thomas, only Andrew, the first born son, dying before achieving adulthood. The date of death and place of burial of Andrew are unknown.

A Funeral Certificate for Thomas Smythe held at the College of Arms reportedly states that there were nine sons and six daughters all told, and hence two further sons (as yet unrecorded) presumably died as infants.^[27]

As a consequence of his marriage to Alice Judde, the children of Thomas and Alice were recorded in the Stemmata Chicheleana, a pedigree of the Chichele family^[28], the Chichele line being derived through Alice's great grandmother Philippa Chichele.

Smythe pedigrees which included Thomas (Customer) Smythe were also recorded in London 1633-1635^[3] and Wiltshire 1623.^[29]

"Mr Thomas Smith, Customer" was still resident in the parish of All Hallows Lombard Street in 1582 when for the City of London subsidy he was assessed to be the wealthiest resident of the parish.^[30]

Early Career

It is not known when Thomas left Corsham for the City of London but it is presumed that he was the Thomas Smyth who became free of the Haberdashers on 19 Sep 1548, his master having been Henry Austen.^[31]

An early record for Thomas as a merchant is a letter from the Privy Council on 30 Sep 1551: "A letter from the Kinges Majestie to the Scottishe Quene, praying her to graunte a salf conduit to Thomas Smith and Rowland Browne, Londoners to trafficque in to the parties of Scotland, joyntly or a part, with owt any empechement, according to the auntient custome and to the last Treatie of Peace betwixt his Majestie and that realme".^[32]

Thomas Smythe and Rowland Browne were both members of the Haberdashers’ Company and clearly remained good friends until Rowland’s Browne death in 1571 or 1572. In the will of Rowland Browne made on 18 Jul 1571 and proved on 27 Oct 1572^[33] the Testator bequeathed to his dear and loving friend Mr Thomas Smythe Esquier and “farmer of the custome and subsydie nowe of the porte of London”, his gold ring with his seal of arms. He also bequeathed to every one of Mr Thomas Smith’s household at his house at Barne Elmes and his house at London, one spire cake or spire bunne. He nominated his “welbeloved and assured ffrend & Mr [Master], Mr Smith” to be his Overseer.

Indeed on 26 Sep 1591, Alice, the daughter of Rowland Browne married Henry Smith the nephew of Thomas Smythe at St Gabriel Fernchurch, City of London. Both were recorded as ‘Servants’ in the house of Mr Thomas Smith, Customer.^[34]

Thomas Smythe was also concerned with trading in metals. On 19 Oct 1552 the Privy Council wrote to Thomas Gresham as follows:^[35] Thomas Smith of London acknowledgeth hym sellf to owe to the King, our Soveraigne Lorde, the summe of Jc li of lawfull mony of England, to be levied of his goodes and cattelles, &c. The condition of this recognisaunce is suche that if the sayd Thomas Smyth shall truly, and withowt any manner fraude or covyn, delyver or cause to be delivered at Andwerpe to Thomas Gresham, the Kinges Majesties Agent in the Base Contries of the Emperour’s, eightene fodder of leade carried owt of the Porte of London, receiving so muche redy monny for the same leade of the sayd Thomas Gresham as it shalbe at the arrival thereof commonly worth in Andwerpe, saving and recuping for every fodder of leade xls, to be prested to the sayd Thomas for the Kinges Majesties use , and to be repayde at the thirde monnethes ende in London; that then this recognisaunce shalbe voyde or elles, &c. Provided, neverthelesse, that if the sayd Thomas Gresham can not or doo not within x days after the arryvall of the sayd leade to Andwerpe make redy payment for the same, excepting the sayd summe of xls upon every fodder, that then it shalbe laufull to the sayd Thomas Smith or his factour to make sale of the sayd leade to his best advauntage, forseing allweyes that he delyver the sayd summe of xls upon every fodder to the sayd Thomas Gresham by way of lone to the Kinges Majesties use.

He has been tentatively identified as MP for Tavistock in Mary’s first Parliament and in the following spring as MP for Aylesbury.^[36]

In Jul 1558 Smythe became Collector of the subsidy of tonnage and poundage on all wares brought into the Port of London, receiving annual fees of £149 23s 4d for collecting the subsidy and £78 6s 8d for the customs.^[2] This role, that of a civil servant, he undertook until 1569, but also continued his own mercantile activities.

In Jul 1562 'Master Smyth' of the Custom House was godfather to Mary, daughter of Lord Giles Powlett, the baptism taking place at St Botolph without Bishopsgate, City of London^[37] and in 1568 Thomas was an Overseer of the will of his uncle, Henry Brouncker Esq. of Erlestoke and Melksham, Wiltshire.^[38]

Phillipp Smith became free of the Haberdashers per Thomas Smith, 07 Feb 1566/1567.^[39]

In 1568 Thomas was an Overseer of the will of Henry Fanshawe Esq. Remembrancer of her Majesties Court of the Exchequer.^[40]

Thomas was a beneficiary of the will of his son in law, Simon Hardinge, Citizen and Salter of London (the first husband of his daughter Ursula), his will made on 09 Apr 1580 and proved on 05 Jan 1581/1582.^[41]

There is no evidence that Thomas was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Contemporary documents refer to him as simply Thomas Smith/Smythe or Thomas Smythe Esquire. Some more recent texts occasionally refer to him as Sir Thomas Smythe, but they do so in error.

Farmer of Her Majesty's Customs: "the Customer"

Thomas made his fortune primarily as the 'Farmer' of her Majesty's Customs.^[2][42] The following details are summarised from Lowe.^[2]

Problems with the collection of customs duties led to William Cecil (Lord Burghley) proposing that the Customs should be ‘farmed’. Thomas Smythe secured his first farm in 1569 agreeing to collect the customs on behalf of the crown and provide a guaranteed sum each year to the crown. In this first small farm, due to political difficulties hampering trade, he made a loss.

His principal farms were:

• 1. 1570-1576;
• 2. 1576-1580;
• 3. 1580-1584;
• 4. 1584-1588.

He usually made substantial profits on farming of the customs but was not always compliant with the terms of the farms. In 1572 he was attacked by Richard Carmarden for concealing profits and was also subject to an enquiry at the end of his second farm. He made losses in some years e.g. in the period leading up to and during the attempted Spanish invasion, but Lowe estimated his overall profit as approximately £48,000. He also farmed wines, buying a lease from the Earl of Leicester.

In 1591 he was also criticized by comparison with the income achieved "in that last 2 years" by Alderman Billingsley.^[43]

Westenhanger/Ostenhanger, Kent

The manor of Westenhanger which was in the hands of Queen Elizabeth but was occupied by the Sackvilles, was granted by the Queen to Thomas Smythe.^[44]

Wadmore^[1] stated as follows:

"on the 26th of May 1585, at the Court of St. Margaret's, Westminster, her Majesty directs her faithful councellor, Jacob Croft, to prepare a grant of the royal manors Eastenhanger and Westenhanger in the county of Kent, to Thomas Smythe, Esq., his heirs and assigns, with all and singular the rights and customs, mills, houses, workshops, and fisheries lately belonging to her Royal ancestors, Edward VI. and Henry VIII., to hold by military service, at an annual fine of £3 8s. 6 1/2d."

Thomas Smythe did have involvement with Westenhanger prior to this as there is a record of 04 Nov 1578:^[45]

"A letter concerning unseemly speeches by a Doctour Nemson preached in the parsonage of Saltwoode, Kent, against Mr Customer Smithe touching an inclosure of a parcel of ground within his manor of Oster Hanger which the Doctour pretendethe to be common. Sir Thomas Scotte, Mr Thomas Wottn and Mr Haymon, esquires to assemble and to prove the complaint or that the Doctor was mistaken."

How long Thomas was connected with Westenhanger is not known but there is no evidence that any of his children were born there.

Upon his death Westenhanger passed to his eldest surviving son Sir John Smythe and from Sir John Smythe to his son, Thomas Smythe, 1st Viscount Strangford.

Corsham Court, Wiltshire

In 1575 Thomas Smythe acquired Holme Park and West Park in Corsham, Wiltshire, from Sir Walter Mildmay who had recently acquired the lands from Sir Christopher Hatton.^[2][46]

Smythe built a manor house at Holme Park, the property now known as Corsham Court.^[47] "After purchasing Corsham, Customer Smythe rebuilt the house at a cost of £4,000 and the date 1582 is still to be seen on the south front of the house".^[48]

Most of Thomas Smythe's land in Wiltshire including Corsham Court passed to his third surviving son Henry Smythe, who sold Corsham Court in 1602 to Sir Edward Hungerford.^[49] The Hungerfords then sold to the Methuens, the current owners.

Portraiture

Smythe commissioned Cornelis Ketel to paint head and shoulders portraits of himself, his wife and children.^[27][50][51]

In the will of his daughter in law, Sarah the Dowager Countess of Leicester (wife of his son Sir Thomas Smythe), the will made on 02 Feb 1655/1656 and proved on 13 Mar 1655/1656^[52] she made a bequest as follows: "I doe give and bequeath unto my nephew John Smith of Highgate in the Countie of Middlesex Esquire fourteene pictures … Customer Smith and his wife and of their sixe sonnes and sixe daughters". As John Smith of Highgate (a grandson of Customer Smythe) died around the same time as his Aunt it is unclear if the paintings were delivered to John or his surviving son. The paintings were later in the possession of the descendants of the Viscounts of Strangford.

A number of these paintings were purchased in 2016 by the Company of Skinners in London from a private collection. The painting of Thomas Smythe himself in the collection is a copy of the earlier Ketel painting.

A copy of a portrait of Thomas Smythe is on display at Corsham Court in Wiltshire.

A half length portrait of Thomas Smythe exists in a private collection.^[2] It was displayed at South Kensington in 1866.^[53]

The attached portrait of Thomas Smythe is at Queens' College Cambridge.

Thomas (Customer) Smythe

Arms

Thomas Smythe received a grant of arms in 1559^[54], described as:

“per pale or and azure, a chevron argent between three lions passant guardant counterchanged”

His arms have also been recorded as:^[55]

"Per pale or and azure on a fess engrailed argent between three lions passant guardant counterchanged three fleurs-de-lys gules.

Crest, on a wreath argent and azure: A panther's (?) head erased argent semy of roundels sable tusked or gorged with a collar sable studded and chained or"

The same arms are also noted in the Smyth pedigree in the Visitation of London^[5] although the entry referred to a manuscript which had the note ... "the fesse should be a playn cheveron Silver".

Customer Smythe received a further grant of arms from Clarencieux Cooke in 1588. The Grant was described as:^[56][57]

"Azure, a chevron engrailed between three lions passant guardant Or.

Crest – an ounce’s head erased Argent, Pelletee, and gorged with a collar sable, edged Or, charged with three Pellets, and chained Or."

Arms of Thomas Smythe 1588

A Grant of 1588 to a Thomas Smith of London is recorded in "Grantees of Arms"^[54] but the details are absent.

The arms shown by Crisp^[23] for Smythe's son in law Thomas Fanshawe Esq are Fanshawe impaling Smythe. The chevron for Smythe is marked 'or' [i.e. gold].

See also: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Arms_of_Smythe_of_Wiltshire_and_Kent

Death and Burial of Thomas Smythe

His date of death of 07 Jun 1591 is recorded on the monument in Ashford Church. His place of death is not known, but may have been in either London or Kent. Given the delay between his death and the burial at Ashford it seems most likely he died in London.

"Thomas Smyth esquire, Lord of this Town of Ashford" was buried on 30 Jun 1591 in St Mary the Virgin, Ashford, Kent.^[58]

Monument to Thomas Smythe Esq

An impressive monument to Thomas Smythe and his wife, Alice, exists in the church of St Mary the Virgin, Ashford, Kent.^[59]

Smythe Monument, St Mary the Virgin, Ashford, Kent

The following is a translation made by the Rev. A. J. Pearman, of the latin inscription on Smythe's monument:^[1]

Sacred to memory. Here, in the certain hope of a blessed resurrection, is interred the most illustrious man Thomas Smythe, Esq., of "Westenhanger, who, on account of his tried fidelity and obedience towards his Sovereign, was deemed worthy to be set over the duties of the Customs in the Port of London, which dues he afterwards purchased of the Sovereign by the payment of an annual rent of £30,000, and he presided over them with singular liberality towards those of higher rank, and love towards the trading interests. He expended the means with which an Almighty and Merciful Providence had blessed him freely and willingly, in relieving the poor to the Glory of God, in cherishing the professors of true religion, in promoting literature, and, for the advantage of the State, in fitting out ships for long voyages, in discovering new countries, and opening copper mines. And now, full of years, when he had completed his sixty-ninth year, and brought up six sons and also six daughters, by his dearest wife, herself sixty years of age, daughter and heiress of Sir Andrew Judde, Knt., Lord of the Manor of this Town of Ashford, who are placed by marriage in families of some distinction, he departed this life in firm faith in Christ on the 7th of June in the year of grace 1591.

John Smythe, his eldest son, most sorrowfully erected this monument to the best of fathers and the most beloved of mothers as a memorial of his duty and affection, and a record to posterity, the other sons and daughters joining in his grief.”

Summary of the Will of Thomas Smythe Esq 1591

In his will made on 22 May 1591 and proved on 29 October 1591 he was recorded as Thomas Smythe of London esquire.^[60]

His will was to be buried in the parish church of Ashford, Kent, and he requested that a tomb be made for him there by his Executors.

He willed that his debts should be paid, and in particular those to the Queen should be paid in reasonable and convenient time. To speed the payment of his debts he willed that the Leases of Munckton and Thorndon Wood in Kent should be sold.

He bequeathed to his wife, Alice, for her natural life, his Lease and interest in his house in London which he inhabited, along with all the household stuff and implements.

He bequeathed £1,500 to his daughter, Elizabeth. To his other children as yet unadvanced (not named) he willed that they should have that portion of his goods and cattells in accordance with the ancient and laudable custom of the City of London.

To his daughter Mary Davye wife of Robert Davye esq. he bequeathed £500, and a further £500 was bequeathed to her children John Davye and Alice Davye, the sum to be divided between them.

To his grandchildren Alice, Thomas, William and Katherine Fanshawe, the children of his daughter Joan and her husband Thomas Fanshawe esq., and to Henry and Walter the sons of Thomas Fanshawe by his late wife Mary, £500 to be equally divided between them.

To his grandchildren (not named), the children of his daughter Katherine and her husband Sir Rowland Hayward, £250 to be equally divided between them.

To his grandchildren (not named), the children of his daughter Alice and her husband William Herrys esq., £250 to be equally divided between them.

To his grandchildren (not named), the children of his daughter Ursula and her husband William Butler esq., £250 to be equally divided between them.

He bequeathed to each of his daughters £40.

He bequeathed to his sons: John, plate to the value £100; Thomas, £100; Henry £100; and Richard £100.

To up to three children which his son Henry may have in the future he bequeathed £50 each.

To his ‘brother’ [brother in law] Horsepoole and his wife, £250.

To each of his brothers and sisters (not named) a gold ring of 5 markes.

He bequeathed £20 to his servant and kinsman Henry Smithe and £10 to his brother Richard Smithe.

He bequeathed £5 to each of his household servants.

To his cousin William Bronker esq. he bequeathed £20.

To his friend Thomas Owen Serjeant at Law he bequeathed £100 and to Richard Langley his servant, £20.

To his friend Christopher Teldervey gent, £200, for his great care of the Testator’s affairs.

To his friend Mr Thomas Aldersey £20; and to his good neighbour Peter Houghton esq., £20.

In terms of charitable donations he bequeathed £40 to the poor of Ashford, Kent; £10 to the poor of the parish of Fanchurch [St Gabriel Fenchurch, City of London]; £10 to the poor of Cosham [Corsham, Wiltshire]; and £40 to the poor prisoners of London.

He appointed Sir Rowland Hawyard, his son John Smythe, Thomas Fanshawe esq. and Mr Thomas Aldersey as his Executors, and Mr Serjeant Owen as his Overseer.

Administration of his Estate

Following the death of Thomas Smythe the task of administering his estate fell largely to his eldest son, John.

There was an Inquisition Post Mortem of 01 Sep 1591.^[61][62]

In the will of Thomas' widow Alice made on 10 Jul 1592, with a Codicil of 22 May 1593^[63] she stated "as touchinge the disposicion of that porton which I have I would sett downe some certaintie although not so certenlie as I would yf her Maiesties sute were at an end and with the Executors of my said husband”.

In 1594 it was recorded:^[64]

Declaration by the Queen that certain parcels of gold and Jewells were purchased in 1588 by the late Thos Smith of London from Sir Thos Layton for 300 l., with proviso of a redemption by a certain day, now past; which jewels were delivered by his son John to Sir John Fortescue Chancellor of the Exchequer, for her majesty’s service. Defalcation to be allowed on the accounts of the late Thos. Smith for 300 l. the value of the jewels.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Wadmore, J F. Thomas Smythe, of Westenhanger, Commonly Called Customer Smythe. Archæologia Cantiana, being Transactions of the Kent Archæological Society, vol. XVII, 1887, pp 193-208 pdf.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} Lowe, L L S. Mr Customer Smythe. B Litt Diss. Oxford University. 1950. Ref: D70-72.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Visitation of London 1633, 1634 and 1635. Vol. II. Publications of the Harleian Society. Edited by Joseph Jackson Howard 1883, p 245 Smyth Pedigree Internet Archive.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Visitation of London 1568. Publications of the Harleian Society. Edited by Howard and Armytage. 1869. Smythe Pedigree p 69 Internet Archive.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6} Visitation of London, 1568: With Additional Pedigrees, 1569-90, the Arms of the City Companies, and a London Subsidy Roll, 1589. Publications of the Harleian Society. Vols 109-110. London H S and Rawlins S W. 1963. Smyth Pedigree pp 17-18.
6. ↑ ^{6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11} The Visitation of Kent. Taken in the Years 1619-1621. The Publications of the Harleian Society Vol XLII. Edited by Robert Hovenden, 1898. Smith Pedigree pp 113-114 Internet Archive.
7. ↑ Stocker, J J. Pedigrees of Smythes of Ostenhangar; Kent; of Smythes of Bidborough and Sutton-at-Hone; and of the Smythes of Viscount Strangford, of Dromore, Ireland. Archæologia Cantiana, being Transactions of the Kent Archæological Society. Vol. XX, 1893, pp 76-81 pdf.
8. ↑ Robertson, H. Stemmata Robertson et Durdin. 1893-1895. Table 32 Internet Archive.
9. ↑ Will of John Smyth. Clothier of Cosseham. 1538. PROB 11/27/357. The National Archives, Kew.
10. ↑ 'Parishes: Barnes', in A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4, ed. H E Malden (London, 1912), pp 3-8 BHO.
11. ↑ Smyth v Altham. Plaintiffs: Thomas Smyth and Alice Smyth his wife. Defendants: James Altham and Dame Mary Altham his wife. Subject: manor of Barnes and property in Putney and Mortlake, Surrey. Pleadings. C 3/162/29. 1558-1579. The National Archives, Kew.
12. ↑ Kathman, D. London Inns as Playing Venues for the Queen’s Men. In: Locating the Queen's Men, 1583-1603. Material Practices and Conditions. Edited by Helen Ostovich, Holger Schott Syme, Andrew Griffin. 2009, p 70 Silo.pub.
13. ↑ Will of Sir Andrew or Andree Judde, Alderman of Saint Helen, City of London. 15 Oct 1558. PROB 11/41/148. The National Archives, Kew.
14. ↑ All Hallows Lombard Street, City of London. Register. Accessed via Ancestry.
15. ↑ Fanshawe, H C. The History of the Fanshawe Family. Privately Published, 1927, p 92 Internet Archive.
16. ↑ Davy, Robert (d.1599), of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London and Barnes, Surr. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 HOP.
17. ↑ The Visitations of Bedfordshire, AD 1566, 1582 and 1634. Blaydes F A (Ed). 1884. Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol XXI. Boteler of Biddenham Pedigree, p 84 Internet Archive.
18. ↑ Boteler, William (c.1540-1602), of Biddenham, Beds. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 HOP.
19. ↑ Smythe John I (1557-1608), of Westenhanger, Kent. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 HOP.
20. ↑ Wadmore, J F (1893) Sir Thomas Smythe Knt (A.D. 1558-1625). Archaeologia Cantiana Vol 20 pp 82-103.
21. ↑ Smythe, Sir Thomas (c.1558-1625), of Philpott Lane, London and Bounds Place, Bidborough, Kent. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010 HOP.
22. ↑ Archer, I W. Sir Thomas Smythe (c.1558-1625). A lecture delivered at Skinners’ Hall, London, 26 November 2007.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1 23.2} Visitation of England and Wales. Crisp F A (Ed). Notes. Vol 6, 1906, pp 148-152 Internet Archive.
24. ↑ Hayward, Sir Rowland (c.1520-93), of Elsinge Spital, London, King's Place, Hackney, Mdx. and Cound, Salop. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 HOP.
25. ↑ The Visitation of Kent. Taken in the Years 1619-1621. The Publications of the Harleian Society Vol XLII. Edited by Robert Hovenden 1898. Scott Pedigree pp 127-129 Internet Archive.
26. ↑ The Visitations of Essex 1552-1636. Part I. Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol XIII. Edited by Walter C Metcalfe 1878. Harris Pedigree, p 213 Internet Archive.
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} A Set of Portraits of the Family of Thomas 'Customer' Smythe by Cornelis Ketel. Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. Expert's Statement. Arts Council, about 2015 pdf.
28. ↑ Buckler, Benjamin. Stemmata Chicheleana. Oxford Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1765. See Pedigree No. 1 Internet Archive.
29. ↑ Wiltshire Visitation Pedigrees 1623. With additional pedigrees and arms collected by Thomas Lyte of Lyte's Cary, Co. Somerset 1628. The Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol LV and LVI. Edited by G D Squibb. 1954, pp 180-181.
30. ↑ 1582 London Subsidy Roll: Bishopsgate Ward, in Two Tudor Subsidy Rolls for the City of London, 1541 and 1582, ed. R G Lang (London, 1993), pp 149-159 BHO.
31. ↑ City of London, Haberdashers, Apprentices And Freemen 1526-1933. findmypast.co.uk.
32. ↑ Acts of the Privy Council of England. New Series. London HMSO. 1895, p 371 at Hampton Court, 30 Sep 1551.
33. ↑ Will of Rowland Brown, Haberdasher of London. 27 Oct 1572. PROB 11/54/444. The National Archives, Kew.
34. ↑ St Gabriel Fenchurch, London. Parish Register. Ancestry.
35. ↑ Acts of the Privy Council of England. New Series. London HMSO. 1895, p 145 at Westminster, 19 Oct 1552.
36. ↑ Smith, Thomas II (1522-91), of London, Ashford and Westenhanger, Kent. Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982 HOP.
37. ↑ 'Diary: 1562 (Jul - Dec)', in The Diary of Henry Machyn, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, 1550-1563, ed. J G Nichols (London, 1848), pp 287-298 BHO.
38. ↑ Will of Henry Brouncker of Erlestoke, Wiltshire. 12 Aug 1568. PROB 11/50/245. The National Archives, Kew.
39. ↑ City of London, Haberdashers, Apprentices and Freemen 1526-1933. Image of Register accessed via Find my past.
40. ↑ Fanshawe Wills Part I. Communicated by Edward J Sage Esq. Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica Vol II, 1876, pp 281-284 Internet Archive.
41. ↑ Will of Simon Hardinge or Harding, Salter of London. 05 Jan 1582. PROB 11/64/5. The National Archives, Kew.
42. ↑ Newton, A P. The Establishment of the Great Farm of the English Customs. Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. Vol. 1, 1918, pp 129-156 jstor.
43. ↑ 'Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, Elizabeth, 1591-1594. HMSO first published 1867, Reprinted 1967, p 64 Internet Archive.
44. ↑ Edward Hasted, 'Parishes: Stanford', in The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 8 (Canterbury, 1799), pp 63-78 BHO.
45. ↑ Acts of the Privy Council of England. New Series. London. HMSO. 1895, p 374.
46. ↑ Ladd, Frederick J (1978) Architects at Corsham Court. Moonraker Press. Copy held at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
47. ↑ Hussey, C. Wiltshire Clothiers' Houses. Country Life. 19 Nov 1943 pdf.
48. ↑ Barrett, W A (1922) [Steward of the Manor of Corsham Court] Notes upon the History of the Manor of Corsham, Wilts. Copied by permission of Lord Methuen 1958. Pamphlet held at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
49. ↑ Wiltshire. Topographical Collections of John Aubrey F.R.S. AD 1659-1670. Corrected and Enlarged by John Edward Jackson. Published by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. Devizes, 1862, pp 78-84 Internet Archive.
50. ↑ Hearn, K (1995) Dynasties : painting in Tudor and Jacobean England 1530-1630. Tate Publishing.
51. ↑ Treasures of the Royal Courts. Tudors, Stuarts & the Russian Tsars. Dmitrieva O and Murdoch T (Eds). V&A Publishing, 2013.
52. ↑ Will of Sarah Countess of Leicester, Dowager. 13 Mar 1656. PROB 11/253/638. The National Archives, Kew.
53. ↑ Catalogue of the first special exhibition of National Portraits ending with the reign of King James the Second on loan to the South Kensington Museum. April 1866, London.
54. ↑ ^{54.0 54.1} Grantees of Arms named in Docquets and Patents to the end of the Seventeenth Century. Rylands W H (Ed). 1915. The Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol LXVI., p 235 Internet Archive.
55. ↑ Gwynn-Jones, P. Tudor Enigmas. The Coat of Arms. Third Series Vol. I, Part 2, no. 2010, Autumn 2005, p 90 pdf.
56. ↑ The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for the Year 1830. Volume 100, 13 Dec 1830, pp 487-488 Hathitrust.
57. ↑ Grazebrook, H S. The Heraldry of Smith. 1870, pp 36-40 pdf.
58. ↑ Ashford, Kent. Parish Register. Kent History Centre.
59. ↑ Neale, J P and Le Keux, J. Views of the most interesting collegiate and parochial churches in Great Britain. Vol 1, 1824 St Mary's Church Ashford, Kent pp 3-5 Internet Archive.
60. ↑ Will of Thomas Smythe of London. 29 Oct 1591. PROB 11/78/226. The National Archives, Kew.
61. ↑ Smith, Thomas: Kent. 33 Eliz I. (17 Nov 1590-16 Nov 1591). WARD 7/23/127. The National Archives, Kew.
62. ↑ Inquisition Post Mortem. Smith, Thomas: Kent. 33 Eliz I. C 142/229/142. The National Archives, Kew.
63. ↑ Will of Alice Smythe, Widow of London. 11 May 1598. PROB 11/91/377. The National Archives, kew.
64. ↑ Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, Elizabeth, 1591-1594. HMSO first published 1867, Reprinted 1967, p 576 Internet Archive.

See also:

• Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series. Elizabeth II Addenda 1566-1579. Published 1871, p 438 Internet Archive.
• Ashford: Its Church, Vicars, College, and Grammar School. By Rev. A. J. Pearman. 1886.
• Debrett’s Complete Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 1838. p 611 Internet Archive.
• Cox, John Edmund. The annals of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, London. 1876, pp 247-57 Internet Archive.
• Sir Arthur Herrys HOP.
• Thomas Smythe (Customer) Wikipedia.
• Sir William Harris Wikipedia.
• Sir Andrew Judde Wikipedia.
• Lambarde, F. Sir Andrew Judde pdf.
• Smythe Monuments. Ashford Church, Kent Geograph.
• Gaisford, J (2015) Capital in the Countryside: Social Change in West Wiltshire, 1530-1680. PhD Thesis. Birkbeck, University of London. Pedigree 5: Brouncker of Erlestoke and Melksham pdf.