The Palmer Family

Elizabeth (Palmer) Carill

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Married: John Carill
This marriage occurred after 24 July 1517 when Elizabeth is named as "Elizabeth Palmer" in the will of her grandfather, John West, but before 5 May 1544, when she is described as married in the will of her father. In John's father's will, dated 12 May 1523, no mention is made of any wife of John's.

John Carill was the son of John Caryll (whose first wife was Griselda Belknap, who occurs in a separate branch of this family tree) and Margaret Ellinbridge. Like his father, he was an attorney, both of them reaching the rank of serjeant-at-law. John was educated at the Inner Temple, which he entered in 1522. He was appointed attorney-general for the duchy of Lancaster on 5 March 1544 and called to the degree of serjeant-at-law on 17th October 1552, the writ being dated in the previous June. John was also a Member of Parliament, elected in six parliaments from 1542 until 1559, representing constituencies of Taunton, Lancaster and Sussex. John's legal and parliamentary career is detailed in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 entry for CARYLL (CARRELL), John (S.T. Bindoff, 1982) and The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 entry for CARYLL (CARRELL), John (P.W. Hasler, 1981). John died on 10 March 1565(6) in the parish of St. Martin Outwich, London, and was buried at Warnham, Sussex on 24 March 1565(6).

John was an executor of the will of his father, John Caryll, dated 12 May 1523 and proved on 25 June 1523 (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/21/166).
Sussex Archaeological Collections vol 33 pp171n-2n (1883)
... Item of this my present testament I make myn executours Antony Fitzherbert, one of the Kynges Justices of his com’on Benche, Sir Thomas Blenerheyset Knyght, Richard Covert, Squyer, Thomas Caryll my brother and John Caryll my sonne and heire apparent.”
... And as to my four sonnys Richard Robert George and Thomas because they have a moder and so have not my two other sonnes . . . I bequeth to my said sonne John my Ryng with the Dyamond for because it was his moders, And also I bequeth to the same John my signet graven with Elyngbrigge armes for because it was his vncle Thomas Elyngbrigges.” He gives certain directions as to the residue of his goods, and orders that:— wt parte thereof to doo for my soule and the soules of my fader and moder and Greseld and Margaret my late wyves . . . my said sonne Edwarde . . . I have my two first sonnes John and Edwarde by oon vent (sic) videli’t by Margaret Elyngbrige my late wyfe,
...  till that my said sonne John Caryll shall come to the age of xxij yeres

John's appointment as serjeant-at-law was recorded by Henry Machyn
The Diary of Henry Machyn in Works of the Camden Society pp26-7 (1848)
  The xvij day of October was made vii serjants of the coyffe; at ix of the cloke they whent to Westmynster halle in ther gownes and hodes of morrey and russet, and ther servants in the sam colers, and ther was gyffyn a charge and othe by the kynges juges, and the old serjants. This done, they retornyd with the juges and the old serjants, and men of law, unto Gray-yn to dener, and mony of the . . . for ther was a grett fest, and my lord mayre and the [aldermen], and many a nobull man; and the new serjants gayf to [the judges], and the old serjants and men of the law, rynges of gold, every serjant gayff lyke ryngs; and after dener they whent unto Powlls, and so whent up the stepes, and so round the qwere and ther dyd they ther homage, and so [came unto] the north-syd of Powlles and stod a-pone the stepes ontil iiij old serjantes came to-gether and feythchyd iiij [new], and broght them unto serten pelers, and left them, and then dyd feyched the resedue unto the pelers; and ther was an oration red unto them by the old sergants, and so done they whent unto Gray(’s) in; and her be tber names, master [Brook] recorder, master Gaude, master Stamford, master Dyer, master Carrell.
p327
  Ibid. Seven serjeants of the coif. The king’s warrant to the lord chancellor to make out writs to these new serjeants, was dated in June preceding. Their names were Robert Brook, James Dyer, John Caryll, Thomas Gawdy, Richard Catlyn, Ralph Rokeby, William Stamford, and William Dallison.—In line 6 of this paragraph fill up the blank with the word [council], that is, privy councillors.

Sussex Archaeological Collections vol 33 pp172-5 (1883)
WARNHAM: ITS CHURCH, MONUMENTS, REGISTERS, AND VICARS.
  BY JAMES LEWIS ANDRÉ AND ROBERT GARRAWAY RICE.
... he had with other issue a son and heir, John Carill of Warnham, Esq., who was living and not aged 22 years on 12th May, 1523, and who was called to the degree of Sergeant-at-Law 17th Oct. 1552, the writ being dated in the previous June. He became a Bencher of the Inner Temple, and in 1552 Treasurer of that Society and sometime Attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster. He died in London on the 10th of March 1565-6 and was buried at Warnham on the 24th of the same month. His testament dated 9th March, 1565-6, which was proved on 10th Nov., 1567, by Edward Carill, his son and exor., is particularly interesting, for by it he directs monuments to be erected to himself and son, etc., in Warnham Church, and also gives the inscriptions, which he desired should be placed on the same, but it does not appear that his directions were ever carried out.
  His testament, which is a long one, commences thus:—
  “In the name of the ffather the sonne and the holly goste thre persons, and one god So be it The nynethe Daye of the monethe of marche In the yere from the Incarnation of or lorde Jhu. Christe a thousande fyve hundred three score and fyve and in the Eighte yere of the reigne of or Sovereigne Lady Elizabethe by the grace of god Quene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande Defendor of the faithe &c I John Carill of Warneh’m in the Countie of Sussex Esquier hole of boddie and perfecte of remembraunce thankes be vnto the Lorde everlasting calling to my remembraunce the manifold daungers that mortall men daylie and howrelie Lyethe vnder in this fraile and transitorie lief vppon good Deliberacion and Advisement Doo ordeine and declare this my last will and testamente concerning my goodes and Cattalls revoking all other wills and testamentes, in manner and forme following, ffirste and Principallie I bequeath my soull to allmightie god the father of heaven and to his onelie sonne Jhus Christe my Redemor and Savior most humblie beseching hym of his infinite mercye to forgive me myne innumerable offences and to take my soull to the everlastinge blisse whiche he prepared for me and all mankinde, my wretched and sinfull boddie I will to be buried in the Parrishe churche of Warneham. That is to say on the northe side of the Chauncell there and in the place whereas Mergaret my mother Sister of Thomas Elingbrigge sometime of Mestham in the Countie of Surr. Esquier, and late the wief of John Carill my ffather Sergeante at the Lawe dothe Lye buried withe suche diuine sruice and in suche sorte as by myne Executoures shalbe thoughte pleasinge to god, honest mete and convenie’te, fforsene allwaies That it be witheowte pompe or vaine glory ffor my mynde is to haue as littell charges abowte my funeralls as may be honestie savid And the charges that I wold hade doon for me I will shalbe doone in deedes of charitie to the poore people and especiallie to my poore neighbors that labor for their lyving and strive against povertie, As touching distribution of blackes making of ffeastes grete solemnitie at my buriall whereby suche as haue littell nede thereof shall take the comoditie. I passe not therevppon nor will that my goodes be consumed in suche thinges but ytterlie prohibite the same, Neverthelesse I will that there be an honest ffayer and decente Tombe of Marbell or Alablaster wth all convenie’te spede after my deceasse prepared and made over the place where I shalbe so buried, vppon the Stone of whiche Tombe I will shalbe mention made in fayer Scripture graued of the daye and time of my deceasse, And also mention made of my saide mother’s buriall there and of my saide ffather, Whiche my ffather Lyethe buried in the Parrisshe churche of saincte Dunstones in Fleetestrete at London In the Isle there whereas the Judges and Sergeants dooe vsuallie sett. And also wth a Scripture vppon the same my tombe as followithe, Here Liethe John Carill Esquier sometime Attorney of the duchye of lancastre and sonne and Heire of John Carill Sergeante at the Lawe, which John Carill Sergeante lyeth buried In the parrishe Churche of saincte Dunstanes in Fleete Streate in london, And here liethe also Mergarett moth’ of the said John Carill the sonne whiche Mergaret was the onelie Sister of Thomas Ellyngbridge somtime of Mestham in the Countie of Surrey Esquier, ffather of Anne his onelie Daughter and heyre wch Anne was married to Sir John Dannett, Knighte, and whiche John Carill the sonne Died the tenthe daye of Marche &c of whose soules before rehersed Jhu haue mercie. And I will also that there be provided one fayre and decente Stone of marble withe convenient spede by myne Executoures and the same to be layde vppon my eldest sonne Thomas Carill and dorothie his wief now deceassed who dooe lye buried in the Chappell wherein I and they vsed to sett in the saide Churche of Warneham and I will there be a fayre scripture graved vppon the saide Stone as followethe. Here lyethe Thomas Carill sonne and heire apparaunte whiles he Lyved of John Carill Esquier Atto’ney of the Duchye of Lancastre, And here lyethe also Dorothie wief of the said Thomas and Sister and heyre of John Buckenham Esquier sonne and heyre of Thomas Bukenham sonne and heire of George Bukenham and of Mergarett his wief, whiche Mergaret was daughter and heire of [blank] Heathe Esquier wch Thomas Carill dyed the three and twentiethe daye of November in the yere from the Incarnation of or Lorde god Christe a thowsande fyve hundred thre-score & three and in the Syxte yere of the reigne of Quene Elizabeth, And whiche Dorothie dyed the [blank] daye of ffebr. in the yere from the Incarnation of our lorde Jhus Christe a thowsande ffyve hundred fiftye and eighte, and in the firste yere of the Reigne of Quene Elizabethe, on whose soules Jhu haue mercie, And this to be doon withe all spede I charge my Executors on Goddes behalf. . . . . . Item to John Shorte the Ideott boye of my kitchin fyve markes in money yf he doo overlive my sonne Edwarde, And I will my sonne Edward shall kepe and fynde hym honestlie as I haue doon duringe his lief dooinge suche reasonable worke whiles he can worke as he hath vsed to dooe withe me and when his worke is doon to fynde hym honestlie of charitie . . . . . vnto Edwarde my sonne all my bookes of the lawe charging hym diligentlie to applie the studye and lerning of the lawes of this realme . . . . . Also whereas I have the wardeshipp custodie and marriage of the boddie of the saide John Caryll sonne and Heire male of the boddie of my sonne Thomas Carill disceassed and Cosen and heyre appara’te of me the saide John Carill whose wardeshippe I did not procure for any geyne that I mente to have thereby, But onelie to thentente and purpose he should be vertuouslie and dece’tlie brought vppe as the srunte of god and so as he mighte be trayned to be a good member for the comonwelthe, And having Conceyved a good opynyon in my saide sonne Edwarde Carill his vncle by nature to hym And by his ffaithefull promyse bounden to me not to vse hym as the wolf vsethe the Lambe but like as the good ffather doth vse the sonne I dooe therefore will and comitt the saide wardshippe and govermente of the boddie of the said John Carill firste and priucipallie to god and nexte to my saide sonne Edward Carill his natnrall vncle . . . . . I dooe ordeine and make the same my saide sonne Edwarde my soll and onelie Executour . . . . . . I dooe ordeine and make Supervisoures my saide assuered and especially good and trustie Frende and lover (sic) Robert Keillwaye Esquier . . . . . And thas I Beseche or lorde for his sweete sonne Jhus Christes sake to haue m’cy vppon me and to Forgive myne offences, per me Johem Carill.”
  He also leaves legacies to his servants, and mentions: To my daughter Bridgett Mollineux the wife of William Mollineux Esq. and to John Mollineux her son my godson at his age of 21 years; to Elizabeth Carill daughter to my son Thomas Carill deceased by Dorothie his 1st wife at her age of 18 years or marriage; “to Fraunces Carill daughter of my said sonne Thomas Carill of the boddie of Marie his seconde wief daughter of Sir Thomas Whighte of Sowthwarneborough in the Countie of Sowtht.” at her age of 18 years or at marriage; “to John Carill my Cosen and heire apparaunte and sonne and heire of my said sonne Thomas Carill and of Dorothie his wief,” at his age of 21 years. In his will, bearing the same date as his testament, he is described as “John Carill Esquier sonne and heire of John Carill somtime Sergeante at the Lawe,” and he mentions, in addition to the persons named in his testament:—“To Richarde Carill my Brother Citizen and mercer of London . . . Johan Warnecombe late wief to my saide sonne Edwarde Carill, descessed.” It was the wife that was dead, and not the son. Her name is left blank in the pedigrees by Berry and Brooke.
  The name of the wife of John Carrell, Esq., attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster, does not appear, but according to Berry, he had two, although Brooke only assigns him one. He had, however, probably with other issue, an eldest son, Thomas Carrill (of whom presently), and a son buried at Warnham 29th Jan., 1558-9; also a daughter Mary, who married William Mollineuxe, Esq., and a second son, viz., Sir Edward Carill, who was admitted to the Inner Temple in Nov., 1556, and who was knighted on 11th May 1603.
...
          BURIALS.
1558/9 Jan. 29 John son of Mr John Carelle, Esquier.
1558/9 March 9 Doratheye wife of Thomas Carelle, genttellmane.
1563 Nov. 24 Mr Thomas Carelle, genttellmane.
1565-6 “The 24 daye of Marche was buryed the Worshopfulle Mr John Carelle, Esquier wch died in londone the x day of the same monthe.”   

The full Post Mortem Inquisition into John Carill is printed in A Calendar of Post Mortem Inquisitions Relating to the County of Sussex, 1 to 25 Elizabeth pp33-9 (1904), and an abstract is found at:
Notes of post mortem inquisitions taken in Sussex in Sussex Record Society vol 14 p46 (1912)
          213.
  JOHN CARRELL, esq.  Vol 143, No. 29.
  Horsham, 30 April 8 Eliz.  Died in parish of St. Martin Outwyche, London, 10 March 8 Eliz.
  Heir, grandson John Carill, aged 9 years 1 month 11 days at Inq.
  Lands.—Capital messuage and many (named) lands in Warnham, lands in Horsham, Nuthurst, Rusper, Rudgwick, Wisborough Green, Billingshurst, and Shipley, manors of Nuttham, Hykes, Okendene, Swanborough, and Shipley, rectory and advowson of Sompting, etc. Will, dated 9 March 1565, mentions father John Carill, serjeant-at-law, son Edward, and brother Richard, a mercer, of London.     

John's arms are described in The pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers of Sussex, 1672 p14 (Roger Jenyns, 1867)
Elizabeth Palmer, married to John Caryl, of Sussex, Esq.
Arms, argent two bars sable in chief three martlets of the last, impaling Palmer.

Children: Notes:
Elizabeth is left a legacy in the will of her grandfather, John West, dated 24 July 1517, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550), and she was not married at this time.
... And I bequeath to Elizabeth Palmer doughter of Robt Palmer ?? li ?? s ?? d.

Elizabeth is mentioned, and described as married to John Caryll, in the will of her father, Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168). Her husband, John Carill, is named in this will, establishing that their marriage had occurred by this date. John is appointed an executor of Robert's will and is named as one of the trustees of a charity Robert established to pay four poor men to pray weekly at his tomb.
... the other parte of the saide three partes of my said goods and cattels I do reserve to my selfe to be Distributed as hereafter foloweth, ffirst I gyve and bequeath to John Caryll Esquire my sonne in law that hathe maryed my Daughter Elizabeth one hundreth mks sterling and to every one of his children beyng ??? ??? ??? poundes thirteen shillings foure pence And to my said Daughter his wief my best standing cupp of sylver and gillt with the cover and echye of  them blacke gowns  ... Item I give and bequeath to my nephew John Palmer Esquire my saide sonne in law John Carill Esquire, Thomas Godman mercer ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley one Annuall and yerely rente of ffive pounde fourse shillings by the yere to be ??? percceyved and taken yerely yn and oute of my mannors of kyngeston and Wicke in the County of Sussex and ??? of all my Lands and tents and heriditaments of kyngeston and wicke in the saide County To have houlde and rceyve the same Annuall and yerely rentt of ffyve poundes and foure shillings by the yere, to the saide John Palmer John Carill Thomas Godman ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns for ever to be paide at the two usuall terms of the yere that is to saye at the feast of saint Michael tharchangell  and the Annunciation of our Lady by even portions to thintent and purpose that they the same John John Thomas ffrancis and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns, and all such person and persons as shall at the tyme after my decease stande or be ???ed or that any thing shall have ?? the same ???, shall ??? the ??? yerely for evermore gyve and paye to ffoure poore men of Parham Wigonhollte and Gretham in the saide County of Sussex for the time beyng ??? pence a pece to every of the saide poore men wekely to conynue for evermore And I will and desire the same poore men which shall receive the same therefore to praye for my soule and for the soule of Bridgett my last wief deceased and for the soules of my ffather and mother and all xpen soules, and the saide poore men to saye ??? holly and ffestyvall daye thoroughoute the yere yerely for evermore every of them at my Toombe kneeling devoutly upon their knees to gather at masse time there, in the honor of the ffive woundes of o'r Lorde Jhu Chryste ffive pater nostris, ffive Ave marias, and one credo humbly and devoutly Desyryng hym to have mercy upon my soule, And the soules aforesaid, ...  Item I bequeathe to the makyng of highe ways in Sussez betweene Warnham and Parham where my said sonne Carill thinketh beste to be bestowed, ffourty pounds sterling ... Item of this my present laste will and testament I doo ordeyn and make myn Executours my saide sonne in Lawe John Carill Esquier, Thomas Palmer my sonne and Thomas Godman, Citizen and Mercer of London, and to every of my saide Executours I doo give and bequeath for their pains fyve Poundes

Elizabeth is not mentioned in the will of her husband, John Carill, dated 9 March 1565(6), held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/49/336), and she presumably was deceased by this time.

Sources:

Francis Palmer

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Notes:
Francis was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168). Special provision is made in the will the Francis should not receive his inheritance directly but rather delivered to him in annual funding. This provision, done only for Francis, was for unclear "diverse considerations".
... I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, and if any of my sonnes Dye before his parte be delyvered to him according to the customs of the saide Citty of London, then I will that his parte so delyvered be delyvered amongst thother of my saide sonnes then lyvyng
... Item it is my will that such parte and portion of my goodes as shalbelong to my son ffrancis after my deceas, for diverse considerations ?? moving shall not be delivered to my saide sonnes possession, but by the wysdomme ??? and discretion of myne Executors, I will that hys saide parte and portion be and shalbe so ordered or ymployed that he maye have some reasonable yerely profite comyng to him thereof for his yerely fynding during his liff, and that y ??? thereof after his Deceas maye come or bee where he by the ??? of his fundes and myne Executors shall appoyntyt. So allways that the sum his saide parte of my said goodes shal not be yn his ??? sole possession or ??? Except myne Executours and Overseers for the time beyng shall ??? his rule and ??? to be ???, and him to be of suche ???, that it shalbe thought meet by them Beforehand to be delyvered unto hym   


Sources:

John Palmer

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Notes:
John was mentioned in the will of his father, Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168).
... I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, and if any of my sonnes Dye before his parte be delyvered to him according to the customs of the saide Citty of London, then I will that his parte so delyvered be delyvered amongst thother of my saide sonnes then lyvyng

Sources:

Richard Palmer

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Married: Joan Barton
Joan was the daughter of Edward Barton, of Billingshurst, Sussex.

Notes:
Richard was mentioned in the will of his father, also Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168).
... I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, and if any of my sonnes Dye before his parte be delyvered to him according to the customs of the saide Citty of London, then I will that his parte so delyvered be delyvered amongst thother of my saide sonnes then lyvyng

County Genealogies: Pedigrees of the Families in the County of Sussex p206 (William Berry, 1830) states that Richard was of Pullborough, a village in West Sussex, close to Parham. The pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers of Sussex, 1672 p11 states that he died without issue, while County Genealogies: Pedigrees of the Families in the County of Sussex p206 gives Richard and Joan a son, Thomas.

Sources:

Robert Palmer

Father: John Palmer

Mother: Isabel (Bilton) Palmer

Married (1st): Bridget West

Children: Married (2nd): Blanche (Stanney) Reynolds about May 1543
Abstracts of Inquisitiones Post Mortem Relating to the City of London vol 1 p100 (George S. Fry, 1896)
  Richard Reynolds was seised of 1 messuage, 1 garden and 3 tenements thereto adjoining lying next the Stockes in the parish of St Christopher within the City of London.
... After the death of the said Richard Reynolds, the said Blanche by charter dated 18 May, 35 Henry VIII [1543], granted all the said premises to John Gresham, knight, and Guy Craforde, esq., to hold to them and their heirs for ever, to the use nevertheless of the said Blanche and of Robert Palmer, mercer, whom the said Blanche then intended to marry, and of their heirs; for default, to the use of William Watson and Joan, his wife, and their heirs; and for default, to the use of the right heirs of the said William Watson for ever.
  The said Robert Palmer died 12 May, 36 Henry VIII [1544] in the said parish.

Blanche was born in Oswestry, Shropshire, the daughter of Richard Stanney, mercer, and Johanetta Blodwell. She married firstly Richard Reynolds. Richard and Blanche are left gold rings in the will of William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 and proved 13 September 1540, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206) "Item I will that myne executours, as shortly after my decesse as they may shall cause ___ Rynge of ffyne gold any of them to be the value of twenty shillings sterling a pece And I will that any of the same ryngs shalbe made at my coste and chardge and graven with this verse ex memory myseremini mei saltem vos amici mei with the said ryngs and shalbe given and distributed in the forme following that is to say one to mr Richard Reynolds and to Blanche his wif iche of them a ryng of gold". Richard died on 6 May 1542 and his will, held at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/29/375), dated 30 September 1541, contains a bequest to Robert Palmer, who was to marry his widow. After Robert Palmer's death, Blanche married a third time to Sir William Forman. Blanche died on 8 August 1563. Her will has been transcribed by Nina Green at www.oxford-shakespeare.com/Probate/PROB_11-47_ff_31-4.pdf

Occupation: Mercer
Robert was admitted as a freeman of the Mercers' Company in 1507 (Records of the London Livery Companies Online)

The Lambeth Palace Library holds MS681, a precedent book, providing a formulary of legal documents, probably for the use of a notary in the city of London, which contains an entry
ff. 15r-17v. Instrument of Robert Palmer, citizen and mercer of London and Blanche his wife, widow and executrix of Richard Reynold, citizen and mercer (will proved 26 May 1543), appointing Richard Kinge, citizen and merchant of London, as their agent, especially in dealings with 'Franciscus Salyardettus, mercator de mensana' and 'Johannes Baptista Salvago de Via mercator de Chio'. 13 July 1543.

Robert was twice nominated to the position of Alderman of London, although he was not elected either time. In May 1543 he was nominated for Langbourn ward (The Aldermen of the City of London, Temp. Henry III.-1908 p168) and in June 1543 he was nominated for Aldersgate Ward (The Aldermen of the City of London, Temp. Henry III.-1908 p4).

Notes:
Robert is named in the will of Bridget's father, John, dated 24 July 1517 and proved 18 September 1517, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/18/550). This will names her as the "wif of Robt Palmer mercer"
... I gyve and bequeath one equall part or portion thereof unto Elizabeth my wif And an other equall part of portion thereof I gyve and bequeath to my children Wyllyam John James and Katheryn And I will that if the same my childrens part and portions amount and be unto any of thing above the summ of cc marks then the ??? or surplusage thereof shallbe equally ??? and divided betweene my children afore named and Bridgytt their sister nowe wif of Robt Palmer mercer so that of the same surplus the same Bridgytt shall have her just part
... Item I bequeath to any of the persons folowing that is to saye Master Hosyer my cosen Pyke and his wif Master Mundy and his wife Robert Palmer and his wif Wyllyam John and James my sonnes and Katheryn my daughter Wyllyam Colshill Wyllyam ??? and my Brother ??? ?? yardes of blake cloth for a gowne
... Item I gyve and bequeath of my said part and portion unto the said Elizabeth my wif c li in mony And to any of my foresaid children that is to say Wyllyam John James Katheryne and Brygett xxli in mony And I bequeath to Elizabeth Palmer doughter of Robt Palmer ?? li ?? s ?? d. 
   

Robert and Bridget and their son Thomas are also remembered with yards of black cloth in the will of Bridget's stepfather, Sir Thomas Exmewe, dated 6 January 1528(9) and proved on 9 March 1528(9) (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55). Thomas also bequeathed  "to Maistres Palmer late my wifes doughter another lymned mattens boke covered with blewe velvet." (i.e. an illuminated matins book)

Robert and Bridget are remembered in the will of Bridget's brother-in-law, William Colshill, dated 28 March 1537 and proved 13 September 1540, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/28/206) "I bequeith to either of Robert Palmer mercer and to his wif a blacke gowne". Interestingly, William's will also leaves gold rings to "Richard Reynolds and to Blanche his wif" - Richard Reynolds died on 6 May 1542 and the then widower Robert Palmer married the widow Blanche about a year later. The families were obviously close - Richard Reynolds left Robert Palmer black cloth in his will dated 30 September 1541 and held at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/29/375) "Item I bequeth to Robert Palmer Citizen and mercer of London, iij yards and a halfe blak cloth for a gown at viijs a yarde".

The West Sussex Records Office holds some records of Robert's purchases of estates in 1526 and 1540:
Add MSS 31337
Title:    Conveyance (bargain and sale) from (a) Edward Lewkenor, squire, to (b) Robert Palmer, gent
Date:    7 February 1526
Description:    Manor of East Preston or Preston Mylers with 4 messuages, 200a. land, 20a. meadow, 100a. pasture, 10a. wood in East Preston


Add MSS 31331
Title:    Copy of Grant Letters and Papers of King Henry VIII 32 from the King to Robert Palmer, citizen and mercer of London in consideration of £1,255 6s. 5d
Date:   
20 October 1540
Description:    Manor of Parham and all property in Sussex belonging to the Monastery of St. Peter of Westminster, now dissolved; with the Manor of Kingston and manor of Wyke, formerly the property of the monastery of Tewskesbury; and the advowson of the Chapel of Kingston


A History of the Castles, Mansions, and Manors of Western Sussex p164 (Dudley George Cary Elwes, Charles John Robinson, 1876)
      Parham.
... In Domesday there are two references to the place. It occurs among the vast possessions of Earl Roger, under whom it was held by one Robert, and elsewhere in the same record it is stated that “the Abbot of St. Peter’s Westminster holds Perham and held it of King Edward.” The latter entry relates to the chief manor which, at some period antecedent to the Conquest, had been granted to the Abbey of Westminster. This tenure was not disturbed by King William, and when, four centuries later, enquiry was made, the manor and estate in Parham were found to form part the endowments of the Infirmary attached to Westminster Abbey. On the dissolution of Monasteries, the manor fell to the Crown, and in 1540 was sold for £1,225 6s. 5d., to Robert Palmer, citizen and mercer, to hold by the 20th part of a knight’s fee and a yearly payment of £6 12s. 4d. But between 1591-1601 the purchaser’s descendant, Sir Thomas Palmer, knt., sold it to Thomas Bisshopp, Esq., who was afterwards knighted, and in 1620 created a Baronet.

East Preston and Kingston History
Extract from Early History File, by Richard W Standing
ROBERT PALMER d1545
  In the 16th century the old order of Norman gentry was beginning to give way before the wealth of a new mercantile class. Robert came of an old Sussex family, acquiring his personal wealth as a citizen and mercer of London. In order to obtain social and political status, ownership of land, and in particular manorial lordship was necessary. His purchase of Preston in February 1525/6, for £500 established him and his successors as knights and gentry for the next two hundred years.
  Robert came onto the scene opportunely, for shortly afterwards the Reformation and Dissolution of the Monasteries provided him with a windfall. In 1540 Henry VIII sold to Robert the erstwhile manors of Tewkesbury Abbey in Sussex, Kingston and Wick, together with the lands of Westminster Abbey, including Parham, for £1255 6s 5d. These lands were subsequently held by the family, as tenants-in-chief, for an annual rent to the Exchequer of £6 12s 4d.
... The purchase of Kingston was also deemed to include the advowson of the parish - the right to appoint the parish priest. And a chapel of unknown antiquity stood in the village for another hundred years until it was, in the phrase repeatedly used, "eaten up by the sea".
  When Robert died in 1545, he left a widow and son Thomas aged 24, to enjoy the lordships so recently acquired. Their principal house was still presumably in London, for his IPM (Inquisition Post Mortem) described him as a "citizen and mercer of London". He must surely have stayed in the East Preston on occasion, especially when it was his only manor, but here again this is speculation.

The English Baronetage vol 1 p437 (Arthur Collins, 1741)
   John Palmer, Esq; who considerably augmented the estate, by marrying Isabel, sole heiress of Edward Bilton, Esq; and by her had three sons, Edward, (who was knighted) Robert, and Thomas. The youngest of these, came to be Sir Thomas Palmer, of Calais, in France, that died without issue. Robert, the second son, married Beatrix, sole heiress of John Wesse, and became the head of a younger branch of the family, seated at Parham, in Sussex, whose second son, Robert, married Mary, daughter of James, Audley, Esq; younger brother of the lord Audley; but his eldest son was, Sir Thomas Palmer, of Parham, Knt. that had two wives; first, Bridget, daughter of —— Caryll, Esq; serjeant at law, by whom he had only three daughters, Elizabeth, married to John Leeds, of Steyning; Mary, to Thomas Palmer, of Angmering, and Dorothy, to Henry Roberts, Esqrs; and by his second wife, Catherine, daughter of Sir Edward Stradling, of St. Donats, in Glamorganshire, Knt. left a son, John;

The pedigree of the ancient family of the Palmers of Sussex, 1672 p11 (Roger Jenyns, 1867)
Robert Palmer, of Parham, as aforesaid.
Arms, Palmer, impaling azure three water bougets or on a chief of the last three torteaux.

from p4, the Palmer arms are described as:
Arms, Or two bars gules, each charged with three trefoils of the field

Death: 12 or 13 May 1544 in the parish of St Christopher, City of London, England
Abstracts of Inquisitiones Post Mortem Relating to the City of London vol 1 p100 (George S. Fry, 1896)
  Richard Reynolds was seised of 1 messuage, 1 garden and 3 tenements thereto adjoining lying next the Stockes in the parish of St. Christopher within the City of London.
... The said Robert Palmer died 12 May, 36 Henry VIII [1544], in the said parish.

Burial: Parham, Sussex, England

Will: The will of of Robert Palmer, Mercer of London, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168). A rough transcription is:
In the name of the ffathre the soone and the holly goste three personnes and one god so be hytt the ffyvethe daye of maye, in the yere of our Lorde god a thousand ffyve hundred ffourty and foure and in the xxxvjth yere of the Reyne of our Soverign Lorde king Henry the viijth. I Robert Palmer Citizen and mercer of London hole and  perfecte of mynde and remembrance laud and praysing be unto allmighty god, remembring the uncertanty and mutability of this frail and transytory liff, doo make ordeyn and Declare that my Last will and testament, revoking all former wills and testaments heretofore by me made or declared in manner and forme folowing, And first I utterly ??? and forsake that wretched world and commyt me to the ??? mercy of god, To whom I give and bequeath my soule and to his blessed mother the virgyn saynt mary most humbly beseeching my maker and redeemer to take me to his mercy and peace And that I maye be partaker of the Joyes everlasting, which he hath prepared for me and all mankynd my sinfull boddy I will to be buryed in the parrashe church of Parham in the County of Sussex where I am ??? And there as I am buried, I will that a Chappell shalbe builded adjoyning to the ??? there or chancell, and over me a Toombe to be made such as by myn Executours shall ??? and bethought meet and honnest for a Remembrance of me to be hadd. And as concernyng the order and charge of my buriall ffunerall and obsequies I Remytt ??? holy to the Discretion of myne Executours mynding and willing the same to be done honestly and without pompe and vayne glory And that doon then I will my dets which I owe be truly contented and paide And that allso performed, then I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, and if any of my sonnes Dye before his parte be delyvered to him according to the customs of the saide Citty of London, then I will that his parte so delyvered be delyvered amongst thother of my saide sonnes then lyvyng, and the other parte of the saide three partes of my said goods and cattels I do reserve to my selfe to be Distributed as hereafter foloweth, ffirst I gyve and bequeath to John Caryll Esquire my sonne in law that hathe maryed my Daughter Elizabeth one hundreth mks sterling and to every one of his children beyng ??? ??? ??? poundes thirteen shillings foure pence And to my said Daughter his wief my best standing cupp of sylver and gillt with the cover and echye of  them blacke gowns  And to my wif one hyndreth mrk over and above hyr portion, because she shallbe ?? ???, and not minded to becoming Executor Also I bequeath to each of my ??? blacke gownes, and each of them a runge of goolde worth fforty shillings a pece And to my broother Sir Thomas Palmer one hundreth and fforty pounde which he oweth me, To Sir John Weste parsone of wygonhollte a gowne, to my lady Lambert a gowne, to ffrancis Lambert and his wief a gowne to Sir Richard Gresham and my lady his wieff a gowne eithr of them To Sir John Gresham a gowne To Thomas Goodman and his wief eithr of them a gowne, to Richard Carill and his wief eithr of them a gowne to Olyver B??? and his wief eithr of them a gowne And to Willyam Wigmore a gowne, to Robert Barfote a gowne, to Rafe ffoxley a gowne, and to other such as my wief and Executors ??? good. Also I bequeath to each parryshe churche which I doo ??? the Benefice eithr of them A vestyment ??? ??? which vestiment to be of silke ??? as my Executors think meet and to every of the saide churches twenty shillings yn money, And to the Church of Saint Christoirs where now I doo inhabytt ffive pounds, Also I doo bequeath to the poore people of the ??? where my boddy shallbe buryed Tenne poundes to be Dealt pence a pece so far as it will go, to pray for my soule and the soules of my father and mother and all christen soules, Also I bequeath to poore maydens mariages twenty poundes, the moste to have five shillings eight pence, and the leste thre shillings foure pence And to be doon half in London, the oother haulf in Sussex, and to ??? of my ??? ffyve mrks a pece And to George Goodmyn ffive mrks to be ??? and ??? to myne Executors Item I bequeath to my servant John Starkey Ten poundes to be ??? ??? diligent paying full and ??? to myne Executors for the ??? Knowledge and ??? of my goodes Cattalls and debts and for the ??? of them Item I give and bequeath to Richard Caryll mercer Twenty pounds to be abbated of that he oweth me Item I bequeath to every of my maid servants Twenty shillinge a pece Item I give and bequeath to my nephew John Palmer Esquire my saide sonne in law John Carill Esquire, Thomas Godman mercer ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley one Annuall and yerely rente of ffive pounde fourse shillings by the yere to be ??? percceyved and taken yerely yn and oute of my mannors of kyngeston and Wicke in the County of Sussex and ??? of all my Lands and tents and heriditaments of kyngeston and wicke in the saide County To have houlde and rceyve the same Annuall and yerely rentt of ffyve poundes and foure shillings by the yere, to the saide John Palmer John Carill Thomas Godman ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns for ever to be paide at the two usuall terms of the yere that is to saye at the feast of saint Michael tharchangell  and the Annunciation of our Lady by even portions to thintent and purpose that they the same John John Thomas ffrancis and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns, and all such person and persons as shall at the tyme after my decease stande or be ???ed or that any thing shall have ?? the same ???, shall ??? the ??? yerely for evermore gyve and paye to ffoure poore men of Parham Wigonhollte and Gretham in the saide County of Sussex for the time beyng ??? pence a pece to every of the saide poore men wekely to conynue for evermore And I will and desire the same poore men which shall receive the same therefore to praye for my soule and for the soule of Bridgett my last wief deceased and for the soules of my ffather and mother and all xpen soules, and the saide poore men to saye ??? holly and ffestyvall daye thoroughoute the yere yerely for evermore every of them at my Toombe kneeling devoutly upon their knees to gather at masse time there, in the honor of the ffive woundes of o'r Lorde Jhu Chryste ffive pater nostris, ffive Ave marias, and one credo humbly and devoutly Desyryng hym to have mercy upon my soule, And the soules aforesaid, And that we meye be partakers of the Joy everlasting. And if it happen any of the saide pore men to be sicke so that he cannot be at my saide Toombe, then I will that he so being sicke be ??? ?? for their tyme, praying for my soule and the soules aforesaid in some other place. And furthermore I will that if and as often as ??? shall happen the saide yerely rente of ffive pounds and foure shillings or any part thereof, to be behynd and not payed at any of the saide days or times at which it as before ??yted to be paide, And that by the space of thirty days then nexte ensuing, and if it be wthin the same time lawfully axed and demanded and not paide by al lthe said space of thirty days, that then and so often as it shallbe lawfull to and for the saide John Palmer John Caryll Thomas Godman, ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assignes unto all the saide ??? lands tenements and heresditaments to enter and thereto Distrayne aswell for the saide yerely rente so then being behinde and not paide, as also for ffyve pounds to be forfeited over and besides the saide rents for and in the name of a paymt for the not payment thereof. And the Distres so taken to dryve Lead and carry awaye. And that to impound and wthould untill such time as the same John, John, Thomas, ffrancis and Rafe their heires and Assignes be and shalbe truly satisfyed contented and paide, aswell of the saide rente and arrerages thereof, So then being behinde, and not paide as allso of the saide ffive pounds to be forfeited as is aforesaid ffor and yn the name of a payment for the not payment of the saide rente. And I will and charge Thomas Palmer my sonne and heire upon my blessing and all oother persons that shall hereafter inheryett or have my saide manors, Lands and tents in this will answers to god the highest Judge for the contrary, truly to contente and ??? the saide rente and to doo as ??ht as yn them shalbe or lye, to doo from time to tyme, to raise the same Rente to be distributed to the saide poore men according to this my will. And I will and Require ??? the saide John Palmer, John Cavill, Thomas Godman, ffrancis Lambert anf Rafe Ffoxley their heires and Assignes as allso all oother persons which at any time hereafter shall happen to stande or be seased or that any thing shall have of or yn this saide Rent, that when so ever and as often as the saide personnes that shalbe seased of Any thing have yn the saide Rent be d??? to the number of twoo or that there be not above the number of two persones seased of or yn the saide Rent that then and so often the same persons then being seased or possessed of the Saide rente, for the time being shall and doo grant the same rent over by suffycyent conveyance yn the Lawe unto ffour or ffive or more oother personnes of good honistey and ??? and to their heires for ever with a clause to be contayned yn the same grant and conveyance, that the same grantese their heires and Assignes shall and doo ??? the same rent yerely and ??? doo paye the saide mooney to the saide poore men wekely as is aforesaid according to this my will. And wt a clause allso to be contayned in the saide grant or conveyance that when so and the saide rent shall ??? or bee to two persons and not above, that then they shall make a ??? ??? or conveyance over, to oother personnes wt lyke clauses. So that myne intente will and desyre ys that allway the saide rent stande and bee in severall personnes handes, and be from person to person conveyed over from time to time for evermore wt like clauses as is aforesaid. And that it shall not remayne or abyde yn ??? numbre of personnes then two at the least, at any time to thentente that my Will and purpose shall and may be truly observed with the saide rent for evermore. Provyded allways that if the saide monay at any time hereafter be not Distributed to the saide poore men, but happen to be converted to oother uses and not distributed as is aforesaid and yt by the space of one yere as god defende it shoulde, no ??? ??? lett ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? or in the ??? of the saide Lande charged wt the rent, for the time being nor other Lawfull impediment or lett ??? ?? be by reason whereof the same ??? cannot or shall nott be so Distributedas it aforesaide for that time, that then the saide rentt shall rease and be ??? ??? ??? that my will contayned to the contrary notwithstanding. Item it is my will that such parte and portion of my goodes as shalbelong to my son ffrancis after my deceas, for diverse considerations ?? moving shall not be delivered to my saide sonnes possession, but by the wysdomme ??? and discretion of myne Executors, I will that hys saide parte and portion be and shalbe so ordered or ymployed that he maye have some reasonable yerely profite comyng to him thereof for his yerely fynding during his liff, and that y ??? thereof after his Deceas maye come or bee where he by the ??? of his fundes and myne Executors shall appoyntyt. So allways that the sum his saide parte of my said goodes shal not be yn his ??? sole possession or ??? Except myne Executours and Overseers for the time beyng shall ??? his rule and ??? to be ???, and him to be of suche ???, that it shalbe thought meet by them Beforehand to be delyvered unto hym Item I bequeathe to the coompany of the mercers for a Dynner six poundes thirteen shillings foure pence Item I bequeathe to the makyng of highe ways in Sussez betweene Warnham and Parham where my said sonne Carill thinketh beste to be bestowed, ffourty pounds sterling Item I bequeathe to the poore Prysoners yn London and Southwoorke, that is to saye in Newgat Ludgat and the Kings Benche and thae ??? shall See to eche of this prysoners Twenty shillinge to be Dealt wekely in bread as far as it will extende, by the discretion of myn Executors The resydue of all my goodes cattall Debtes moveables and unmoveables my detts contented and paide, and this my will holy perfoormed I will shalbe egally devyded and distributed amongst my children Item of this my present laste will and testament I doo ordeyn and make myn Executours my saide sonne in Lawe John Carill Esquier, Thomas Palmer my sonne and Thomas Godman, Citizen and Mercer of London, and to every of my saide Executours I doo give and bequeath for their pains fyve Poundes Item I bequeath to Robert Bridges of Danoley Tenne poundes. Item I give unto Blanche my waef my ffarm of Danoley and all the householde stuffe nowe there being, and the cropp of Øder nowe sowon upon the grounds there Paying to myne Executours twenty poundes for the charges I have been at aboute the sowing of it. Item I give to every one of my servants twenty shillings Item I remytt and forgyve unto Edmunde Danby my servante so he be ??? and ??? to myn Executors The Debte which Appearythe by my Books that he oweth me Item I remytt to Nycholas my servante two of his yeres which he hathe yett to serve, Item I will that ffrancis Lambert have ??? of my soon ffrancis parte, And that Richard Carill have the ??? of my soon Richard yn ??? and to have him bounde apprentysse to hym by the discretion of myne Executours In witness whereof I have subscribed this my will wt mine own hande the daye and yere firste abovesaid, Item I will to John ??? fforty shillinge and to ??? Garrison twenty shillings Per me Robert Pallmer ??? hereof. I Rafe ffoxley, per me Olyver ??? per me ffrancis Lambert, per me Richard Carill, per me Christofer ???, per me Olyver ???, per me John Taylor, per me Georgi?? Harryson

England's Long Reformation pp124-5 (Nicholas Tyacke, 2003)
  The desire, however, for a lasting memorial, while it might be denigrated as vainglorious, also assisted in translating certain patterns of pious benefaction from a purely Catholic context into a distinctly Protestant one. The perpetuation of a testator’s memory had traditionally been associated with requirements for post-mortem intercession, and often obliged the recipients of the testator’s alms to perform certain acts of piety on behalf of their benefactor’s soul. Thus in 1544 Robert Palmer, Mercer, left a weekly dole of four pence to four poor men of three parishes in Sussex. The poor men were to “pray for my soul, and for the soul of Bridget, my late wife deceased, and for the souls of my father and mother, and all Christian soules”. Every feast day the same men were to congregate at Palmer’s tomb, and “kneeling devoutly upon their knees together at mass time there, in the honour of the five wounds of our lord Jesus Christ” were to say “five Ave Marias and one credo, humble and devoutly desiring him to have mercy upon my soul and the souls aforesaid, and that we may be partakers of the joy everlasting”.

Notes of post mortem inquisitions taken in Sussex in Sussex Record Society vol 14 p175 (1912)
          804.
  ROBERT PALMER, esq., cit. and mercer of London. Vol 70, No. 46.
  Lewes, 7 Oct. 36 Hen VIII. Died 13 May last.
  Heir, son Thos. P., aged 24 and more.
  Lands.—Manors of Kynston-Wycke, Perham, Wiggenholt and Gretham. Made will—nephew John P., esq.—son-in-law John Carell, esq.—Thos. Goodman, mercer, Francis Lambert and Ralph Foxley, trustees for charity for poor of Perham—Bryggett my late wife. R. P. married Blanche Reynolds, widow, who survives. Manors in Preston, Cowden and Goring settled on her for life.     

Sources:

Robert Palmer

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Married: Mary Audley
Mary was the daughter of James Audley, the younger brother of Lord Audley and heiress after the death of her brothers Richard and George.

Children: Notes:
Robert was mentioned in the will of his father, also Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168).
... I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, and if any of my sonnes Dye before his parte be delyvered to him according to the customs of the saide Citty of London, then I will that his parte so delyvered be delyvered amongst thother of my saide sonnes then lyvyng

Sources:

Thomas Palmer

Portrait of Sir Thomas Palmer
Sir Thomas Palmer
photo from www.geni.com
Birth: 1519/20

Father: Robert Palmer

Mother: Bridget (West) Palmer

Married (1st): Griseld Caryll

Griseld was the daughter of the elder John Caryll and his third wife, Jane Reade. She was thus the half-sister of the mother of the younger John Carill who married Thomas's sister, Elizabeth Palmer. Griseld was buried on 5 July 1548, in Parham, Sussex.

Griseld is mentioned in will of her father, John Caryll, dated 12 May 1523 and proved on 25 June 1523 (National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/21/166).
Sussex Archaeological Collections vol 33 pp171n-2n (1883)
... He mentions his wife Jane and a deed “concernyng her Joyntur,” dated [blank] Hen. VIII., also his daughter Greseld and daughter Dorothie, and adds “yf they wilbe honestly ruled in mariage by my wife their moder and by my said brother

Children: Married (2nd): Katherine Stradling on 13 January 1548(9), in St Lawrence Pountney, London, England

Katherine was born on 12 February 1512(3), the daughter of Sir Edward Stradling of St. Donats, Glamorganshire, and Elizabeth Arundell. She died on 24 April 1585.

This book claims that the Katherine Stradling who married Thomas Palmer had been a maid of honor to Anne of Cleves, but some data problems exist here, both with the supposed date of her marriage to Thomas which is stated here as 1540, but Thomas's first wife, Griseld Caryll only died in 1548, and that other sources do not show Katherine Stradling as a maid of honour of Anne of Cleves, but do show a Mrs. Katherine Stradling as a maid of honour to Katherine Howard (The Ladies Who Served: Katherine Howard), and Mrs. Katherine Stradling is clearly not the same Katherine Stradling, daughter of Sir Edward Stradling,.
Kate Emerson's Secrets of the Tudor Court Boxed Set (Kate Emerson, 2011)
Stradling, Katherine (1513-1585)
Orphaned by the death of her father in 1535, Katherine entered the service of Mary Arundell, Countess of Sussex. She was there at the same time as Anne Bassett and the subject of a heated correspondence between Anne and her mother, Lady Lisle, because Anne has shared a gift of pearls with Katherine. Katherine was one of the English maids of honor assigned to Anne of Cleves at the beginning of 1540, but soon after that married Sir Thomas Palmer of Parham, Sussex. Their first child was christened on August 23 of that same year.   


Children: Occupation: Thomas was a Member of Parliament, representing the constituencies of Arundel in 1553, Sussex in 1554 and Guildford in 1559. A description of his official positions held is contained in biographies at The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 entry for PALMER, Thomas (by 1520-82), of Parham, Suss. (S.T. Bindoff, 1982) and The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 entry for PALMER, Sir Thomas (by 1520-82), of Parham, Suss. (P.W. Hasler, 1981)

Notes:
Parham House
Parham House
Thomas inherited the manor of Parham from his father in 1544, and in 1577 he began construction of the magnificent Parham House, which was sold out of the Palmer family in 1601.

East Preston and Kingston History
Extract from Early History File, by Richard W Standing
Sir THOMAS PALMER 1520 - 1582
Thomas, son of Robert, began rebuilding Parham in 1577, towards the end of his life. This splendid Elizabethan mansion stands to this day in its park, a monument to the Palmers. At the heart of the house is the Great Hall, with its original carved oak screen below the Steward's Room.
  Religious conflict between Sir Thomas and the Bishop of Chichester is fully explored in a history of the period. [6] but fortunately the Elizabethan Settlement took a moderating course. In 1564 Bishop Barlow described Sir Thomas as a "fainte furtherer" of the Protestant religion. Then in 1569 it was found that he had harboured a deprived Marian priest, a Catholic, as his chaplain, and refused to take the communion other than in his own chapel. A Chancery writ of 1571 attempted to force his son, William, to take the sacrament; and the churchwardens of Parham had the audacity, or duty, to present Thomas and over twenty parishioners, for communicating infrequently.
  However, the family had the patronage of the Queen and their fortune took a new course. A daughter married her own cousin, Sir Thomas Palmer of Angmering, and the association of the two branches of the family continued through the following generations. But of more significance was the wardship granted by the Queen to Sir Thomas, of Elizabeth Vernai, heir to an estate in Somerset. Not surprisingly she was soon married to William, who thereby effectively acquired this new inheritance.
  The Vernai family had lived at Fairfield in Somerset, but William Palmer demolished the old house there, and built a new mansion very similar to Parham. Sir Thomas died in 1582, leaving his "sowle unto the holye and blessed Trinitye" and William his worldly heir.

Thomas was remembered in the will of Sir Thomas Exmewe, his grandmother's second husband, dated 6 January 1528(9) and held at National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/23/55).
Archaeologia Cambrensis 6th series vol 19 pp265-72 (1919)
 
Item, I bequeth to either of my godsonnes Thomas Palmer and Thomas Colsell two yards of blak cloth of like value.

Thomas was an heir and executor of the will of his father, Robert, dated 5 May 1544, and proved on 24 July 1544, and held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/30/168). Thomas was also named as one of the trustees of a charity Robert established to pay four poor men to pray weekly at his tomb.
... I will that all my goods and Cattalls be egally devyded in three partes according to the laudable custom of the Citty of London l whereof I will one parte to Blanche my wellbeloved wyeff, and one other parte thereof I will shalbe egally devyded amongst my children hereafter named, that is to saye Thomas Palmer, ffrancis Palmer, Robert Palmer, John Palmer and Richard Palmer, ... Item I give and bequeath to my nephew John Palmer Esquire my saide sonne in law John Carill Esquire, Thomas Godman mercer ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley one Annuall and yerely rente of ffive pounde fourse shillings by the yere to be ??? percceyved and taken yerely yn and oute of my mannors of kyngeston and Wicke in the County of Sussex and ??? of all my Lands and tents and heriditaments of kyngeston and wicke in the saide County To have houlde and rceyve the same Annuall and yerely rentt of ffyve poundes and foure shillings by the yere, to the saide John Palmer John Carill Thomas Godman ffrancis Lambert and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns for ever to be paide at the two usuall terms of the yere that is to saye at the feast of saint Michael tharchangell  and the Annunciation of our Lady by even portions to thintent and purpose that they the same John John Thomas ffrancis and Rafe ffoxley their heires and Assigns, and all such person and persons as shall at the tyme after my decease stande or be ???ed or that any thing shall have ?? the same ???, shall ??? the ??? yerely for evermore gyve and paye to ffoure poore men of Parham Wigonhollte and Gretham in the saide County of Sussex for the time beyng ??? pence a pece to every of the saide poore men wekely to conynue for evermore And I will and desire the same poore men which shall receive the same therefore to praye for my soule and for the soule of Bridgett my last wief deceased and for the soules of my ffather and mother and all xpen soules, and the saide poore men to saye ??? holly and ffestyvall daye thoroughoute the yere yerely for evermore every of them at my Toombe kneeling devoutly upon their knees to gather at masse time there,... And I will and charge Thomas Palmer my sonne and heire upon my blessing and all oother persons that shall hereafter inheryett or have my saide manors, Lands and tents in this will answers to god the highest Judge for the contrary, truly to contente and ??? the saide rente and to doo as ??ht as yn them shalbe or lye, to doo from time to tyme, to raise the same Rente to be distributed to the saide poore men according to this my will. ... The resydue of all my goodes cattall Debtes moveables and unmoveables my detts contented and paide, and this my will holy perfoormed I will shalbe egally devyded and distributed amongst my children Item of this my present laste will and testament I doo ordeyn and make myn Executours my saide sonne in Lawe John Carill Esquier, Thomas Palmer my sonne and Thomas Godman, Citizen and Mercer of London, and to every of my saide Executours I doo give and bequeath for their pains fyve Poundes

Thomas was knighted on 2 October 1553, the day after the coronation of Queen Mary
The Diary of Henry Machyn in Works of the Camden Society p46 (1848)
  The ij day her grace mayd lxxiiij knyghts, the morowe after her crownnasyon, the wyche her be ther names folowyng: (not inserted by the Diarist; but see the Illustrative Notes.)
p334
  P. 46. Knights made the morrow after the Coronation. Their names were as follow, according to a list in the MS. Coll. Arm. I. 7. f. 74.
  “The morowe after the day of Coronation, beinge the seconde day of October, at the palys of Wystmister, were dobyd the knightes of the carpet foloinge in the presence of the quenes majestie in her chamber of presens under the clothe of estate by therl of Arundell, lord stuarde of the quenes housse, who had of her highnes commission to execute the same:
... Sir Thomas Palmer

Death: 13 April 1582
The Parham parish register recording Thomas's burial contains the note that "Sir Thomas Palmer the elder died on good fryday at night being 13 of Aprill Annis 1582 and was buried the last day of the same month". The death was presumable recorded officially the next day and the post mortem inquisition states the date of death as 14 April.

Burial: 30 April 1582, in St Peter, Parham, Sussex, England

Will: The will of of Sir Thomas Palmer of Parham, Sussex, dated 24 February 1579(80), and proved on 15 May 1582, is held at the National Archives, Kew (PROB 11/64/204).
In the name of god amen the xxiiij date of February in the yeare of oure Lorde god one Thousand fyve hundrithe seaventie and nyne. And in the two and twentieth years of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god of Englande ffraunce and Irelande Queene defender of the faithe etc. I Sir Thomas Palmer of Parham in the Countie of Sussex knight beinge whole and sounde in bodye and of good and perfecte remembrance (for the which I humbly laude and praise allmightie god) Do ordeyne and make this my present testament and last will in manner and fourme followinge. ffirst I yealde my unto the holye and blessed Trinitie, And my bodye to be buried within my chappell at parham by the discretion of myne executours. And I give to the manitenance of the church of parham Tenne shillinges; Item I will that within one yeare after my deceasse my executors or the survivor of theme, shall cause to be made in the saide chappell over the place where I shalbe buryed, One Tombe of stone fitte for one of my callinge. Item give unto the cathedrall churche of Chichester three shillinge fouer pence. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne William Palmer all my righte interest, and terme of yeares, which I have yet to come of and in the Prebend or church shippe of Ovinge and Hyltons als Hulters, and of an in the Parsonage of Donyngton, in the countie of Sussex. Item I give and bequeath unto every of them which shalbe my household Servantes at the tyme of my deathe aswell women or maide servaintes as menne Serviantes, one quarter of one years wages over and besydes theire wages due and owinge to theme at my deceasse. Item I give and bequeath to my sonne in lawe Sir Thomas Palmer knight forty shillinges of good and lawefull Englishe money to the intente, he shall therwithe make him a ringe and my name to be engraven theron, and that to weare in remembrance of me Item I will that my Sonne in lawe John Leedys esqiuer shall have paide him fourtie shillinges of lawfull Englishe money to do therewith as before is lymytted to my saide sonne in lawe Sir Thomas Palmer knight. Item I give and bequeath unto Gryseld Roberte the daughter of my sonne in lawe Henry Roberte the summe of one hundrethe pounde of lawfull monney of England tpo be paide to her by my executors or the survivore of them ymmediately after her marriage or age of one and twentie yeares, whiche shall firste happen in fourme folloeinge, that is to say after either of the saide dayes which shall firste happen Twenty poundes, by the yeare yearly untill the sayde summe of one hundrithe poundes be paide. And if it fortune the saide Gryseld Roberte doo fortune to dye befour her saide age of one and twentye yeares or marriage; Then this mu saide Legacie of one hundrithe poundes to be paide amongest all the residue of the children of my Daughter Dorothie Roberts then lyvinge to be paide to them by my executors or the Survivor of theme by Twentie poundes by the year yearly after suches tyme as the saide Gyrseld should accomplishe her saide age of one and twentie yeares if she had longer lyved. The Residue of all my ggods and chattells whatsoever (my debtes leagacies, and funeralle discharged and pside) I doe gyve and bequeathe unto Dame Catherine Palm welbeloved wiffe, and unto my Sonne William Palmer to be equally devided betwene them, whom I do ordeyne and make my sole and onely executors of this my last will & Testamente Thomas Palmer John Comber William Palmer, William Lussher     

A Calendar of Post Mortem Inquisitions Relating to the County of Sussex, 1 to 25 Elizabeth p148 (1904)
          100.
  THOMAS PALMER, knight.
  Died; 14 April 24th Elizabeth. Son and heir; William Palmer; age, 28.
  Inq: at Horsham. 7 June 24th Elizabeth.
  Jurors; Thomas A Wood Robert Yonge John Agate John Stydman Thomas Gratwyke John Chapman John Cowper Henry Bottynge John Awood John Gardyn Richard Heyborne Henry Nye Thomas Symons John Mychell Richard Scrase.
  Thomas Palmer was seised of the manors of Kyngston Wyke Parham Wygenholt Gretham Bargham otherwise Barffham Preston Donington otherwise Donghton Bronsberyes and Maryngden; and of a capital messuage and 300 acres of land meadow pasture and wood in Pulboroughe and Byllyngshurst called Oversfold otherwise Orfolde; and of 180 acres of marsh in Lymyster otherwise Lynemyster; and of a messuage 1 pigeonhouse 100 acres of land and pasture in Parham called Parhams; and of certain lands and tenements in Pulborough called Northwood; and of certain lands and tenements called Wynters in Storryngton. And being so seised on 24 February 23rd Elizabeth at Parham he made his will: “I suffer to descend to my son William Palmer being my heir apparent all my marsh land lying in Lymmynster otherwise Leomyster called Olde Marshe which doth amount to a full third part of all my lands and are near the value of four score pounds by the year. The residue of all my manors lands &c I will unto my son William Palmer and to the heirs of his body and for default of such issue remainder to my right heirs provided that if my said son fail of heirs of his body that then my wife shall enjoy during her life all my manors lands &c in Sussex except the premisses limited to descend unto my heir: Signed and witnessed by Thomas Palmer John Comber William Palmer William Lussher.” Lady Catherine late the wife of the said Thomas Palmer is still living at Parham.
  The manors of Kyngston Wyke and Parham are held of the Queen in chief by service of the twentieth part of a knight’s fee and rent of £6. 13. 4; and are worth £28. 16. The manors of Wygenholt and Gretham are held of Thomas Palmer of Angmeringe, knight, as of his manor of Ecclesden by rent of 11s; and are worth £16. The manor of Bargham otherwise Barffam is held of the Queen by rent of 1d; and is worth £4. The manor of Preston is held of Philip Earl of Arrundell by rent of 20d; and is worth £20. 15. The manor of Donyngton otherwise Donghton is held of the Queen in chief by service of the fortieth part of a knight’s fee; and is worth £13. 13. 4. The manor of Bronsberyes is held of Thomas Palmer, knight, as of his manor of Ecclesden, but by what rent they do not know; and is worth £3 13. 4. The manor of Maringden is held of John Apsley esq. as of his manor of Pulburroue by fealty but by what other services they do not know; and is worth £3. Oversfelde otherwise Orfolde is held of the Queen in chief by service of the eightieth part of a knight’s fee and is worth £3 13. 4. besides a payment of £5. 2. to Lord Lumley for fee farm thereof. Olde Marshe in Lymemyster otherwise Leomynster is held of the manor of Weeke but by what services they do not know; and is worth £60. 10. Parhams is held of the manor of Gretham but by what services they do not know; and is worth £3. 6. 8. Northwood is held of John Apsley as of his manor of Pulborroue but by what services they do not know; and is worth £3. 6. 8. Wynters is held of William Apsley esq. as of his manor of Storryngton by fealty but by what other services they do not know; and is worth 13s. 4d.
          (C. Vol. 197.  No. 60.)  

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