Brother and heir [of Robert de Swynnerton]. In June 1338 he was about to go overseas with the King; and was there in the King's service in 1340. On 13 April 1341 he was exempted from service at assizes &c. and from holding any office against his will; but on 18 February 1341/2 he was Sheriff of Salop and Staffs, and on 8 June, described as chivaler, escheator of Salop, Staffs, and the marches of Wales adjacent thereto. He was returned as knight of the shire for Staffs in the Parliament summoned to meet at Westminster 28 April 1343. In 1345 and again in 1347 payments to him are recorded for his stay with the King. In December 1345 the Sheriff of Staffs was ordered to take into the King's hand all his lands and goods. In 1346 he was with the King overseas, and in 1352 it is recorded that he had served in the King's retinue from the passage to La Hogue in 1346 and at the battle of Crecy, at Calais, and elsewhere. In 1347-49, as Sir Thomas de Swynnerton, knight, door-keeper of the king's hall, he was paid for the hangings provided for the hall. In 1350 he presented to the church of Swinnerton. In 1351 he was in the commission of the peace for Staffs. On 14 October 1357, the King gave 100 l. towards his ransom, he having been taken prisoner in Scotland; but in 1359 the King called upon the Scotch prisoners whom Thomas had taken to arrange for their ransom. In 1358 he proceeded as the King's proxy to France to receive the oaths of the manucaptors for the King's prisoners; and was apparently resident thereafter in the palace of the Savoy as one of the custodians of John, King of France. On 8 November 1360 he obtained an exemption from service at assizes &c. and from holding public offices, in consideration of his long service. He is said to have married Maud (c), and to have died in December 1361. 3
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Thomas de Swinnerton, Knt., 3rd Lord Swinnerton, of Swinnerton, Staffordshire, Great and Little Barrow, Cheshire, Sheriff of Shropshire and Staffordshire, 1341-3, Knight of the Shire for Staffordshire (but never summoned to Parliament)...
In Easter 1362 his executors were granted £66 14s. 4d., being part-payment of his wages of war, his reward, and for the repassage of his horses. 4
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3 Aug 1345, Westminster
Grant to Thomas de Swynnerton of an annuity of 40 marks at the exchequer, until he shall be provided for as befits his estate out of wards, marriages, rents or other things.
Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edw. III, Vol. 6, p. 538
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28 Dec 1347, Guildford
Grant to Thomas de Swynnerton of 40 marks at the exchequer yearly for his fee by reason of his stay with the king, to hold for life or until the king find for him an equivalent land or rent.
Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edw. III, Vol. 7, p. 444
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8 Nov 1360, Westminster
Exemption for life to Thomas de Swynnerton, in consideration of his long service, from being put on assizes, juries, recognitions, certifications or other inquisitions, and from appointment as mayor, sheriff, coroner, escheator, taxer, collector or receiver of tenths, fifteenths or other quota or subsidies granted to the king, arrayer or trier of men at arms, hobelers, archers or other persons, or other bailiff or minister of the king, against his will.
Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edw. III, Vol. 11, p. 502
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