English Thrale family history

  • Posted on: 24 September 2009
  • By: David Thrale

In 1773 while listening to an account of the history of the Maclean family, Dr Samuel Johnson retorted…

I'd rather hear the history of the Thrales.

The Thrale family originated around the Hundred of Flitt in Bedfordshire and of its parishes Clophill, Barton, Gravenhurst (Upper & Lower). Higher Gobian and Pulloxhill are of special significance, but paramount is the parish of Luton with its manors of East and West Hyde which border on to the hamlet of Thrale's End.

12th century records

1309

The earliest records of any Thrale is in the Subsidy Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1309 which shows William le Thral to have been liable for 3/- and Johanne Thral for 2/-.

1329

In 1329, Richard le Threl and William le Threl were witnesses to a grant of land called Sparrows in Thrale's End which is the earliest reference to this hamlet.

1332

Richard le Threl was mentioned the 1332 Sussex Subsidy Rolls.

1355

Richard Thrale of Westhyd, Luyton, granted to William Goffe in 1355 a croft ‘vinis, sepibus et fossatis’ - with vines, hedges and ditches at Westhyd, and was witnessed by William and Robert Thrale.

1359

Four years later in 1359, William and Richard Thrale were connected with a grant of land at Hydefeld.

1376 & 1381

Johannes Trayle is recorded as being Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire constituency in 1376 and Chevalier Member of Parliament in 1381.

13th century records

Guild of the Holy Trinity, Luton Church

Road from Thrales End to East Hyde

On the 12th May of 1474 Thomas Rotherham1 obtained from King Edward IV, a licence for himself, his brother John Rotherham, John Lammer, Vicar of Luton, John Thrale (senior) of Thrales End, West Hyde, and others, to form a guild in connection with Luton Church and when the guild should be established to found a chantry in the Church with two Chaplains. The origins and aims were brotherly love, charity and social intercourse. The Register of the Guild and some accounts were found in possession of the Marquis of Bute showing the Guild to be one of the most wealthy and splendid in the Kingdom. Annual lists indicate the Masters, Wardens, Brethrens, Sisters, and Bachelors and Maidens of the Guild, many members being of Royal rank as well as Bishops. Some examples cite John Lammer, Vicar of Luton, as Master with John Thrale and Thomas Perot of the Wyne as Wardens in 1476. In 1482 John and Richard Thrale and their wives of Thrales End were members, a year later John Thrale, senior, was Master, and in 1509 William Thrale was also Master.

1487

Edward Thrale of Luton was ordained as a priest in Lincoln on 31 March 14872.

1493-4

In 1493-4, a Thrale - probably Edward, of Luton - became a Bachelor of Arts at Cambridge University.

16th century records

1512

Michael Thrale was born about 1512 at a place called Farley alias St. Lukes, and later lived at Luton Hoo.

1541

Johannes Trayle was Chevalier Member of Parliament for Bedford Borough in 1541.

1542

Michael Thrale was M.P. for Bedford Town with William Johnson in 1542 and was also an Under Sheriff of Hertfordshire who was involved in many Chancery cases. Apparently a gentleman, at Hertford he was accused of rigging a Jury as Under Sheriff while dealing with a dispute over tithe pay at North Mimms.

In another case Michael did not panel jurors as to a wrongful entry into a messuage in Luton and called the plaintiff, Robert Daldern “a false perpetual knave.” Michael was in conflict with a bevy of citizens concerning the marking of timber.

More conflict was with Richard Farmer merchant of the Staple at Calais over Luton Hoo and the mill called Stapleford. Farmer served his writ not only against Michael but also William Collyn. Further suits against Michael Thrale and his wife Elizabeth were made by Edward Hickman of Hawnes over land. Michael then sued Edward Bardolf of Harpenden. Following this he had to answer complaints by John Pruddon, a miller of Luton, concerning the sale of forty sheep. This was while Michael was at Thrales Purslayes in 1564.

Robert Daldern was later supervisor of Richard Thrale's will in 1572.

1561

In 1561 William Thrale of West Hyde granted land to Ralph Hay and his wife Agnes, with the witnesses of Richard and Robert Thrale.

17th century records

1600

Thomas Thrale's Broad Arrow mark from his 8 September 1600 will

In 1600 is the first documentary evidence of the use of the broad arrow by the Thrale family. The Broad Arrow legend is dear to the hearts of Thrale's.

1616

Edward Thrale of Thrale's End kept records interspersed with signs used by an apothecary. The geometrical signs Edward used suggests that the page was a palimpsest or parchment which could be written on many times. One passage indicates mental illness…

Edward Thrale of Luton parish called Thrales End
23rd of June at Oh.6 pm 3
1616
Troubled in mynd
over since
Easter
the Sunday after May Daye
I very thirsty

An seyd to him that he thought him to be a witch.
And since he hath bene ill and will follow no bisyness
as he did before.

  • 1. Archbishop of York from 1474-1499.
  • 2. Venn, J. A., comp. Alumni Cantabrigienses. London: Cambridge University Press, 1922-1954.
  • 3. To interpret 6 p.m. for 'post meriden' would be anachronistic and the whole phrase probably is 'obit horae propria manu' or 'He died in the sixth hour by his own hand'.