THE CAREER OF SIR THOMAS TRIVET (1330-88)

Thomas Trivet was born the only son of John and Elizabeth Trivet in about 1330.¹ Thomas's subsequent career was undoubtedly orchestrated by his father, who seems to have played an important role both in Somerset and in some of the major English expeditions abroad in the 1360s. For example, in the Janauary Parliament of 1348, John represented his county in the House of Commons.² The Register of the Black Prince records a John Trivet, who was one of the Prince's yeomen. On the 31st May 1364, he was granted a regular income of £40 yearly for life in recognition of 'good service' and this was increased to 100 marks yearly on the 5th August 1365 'in consideration of his past and future good service'.³ This undoubtedly refers to the Black Prince's campaigns abroad, for in 1367, both John and Thomas served under the Black Prince in Spain, and John himself was at the Battle of Najara in April 1367.⁴ As a result,it can be assumed that the Trivets found favour in the Black Prince's retinue, which would have aided Thomas once Richard II ascended the throne.

Since Thomas predeceased his father, he probably never received the full inheritance of his father's estates. Instead, Thomas obtained the vast majority of his lands through his second wife,Elizabeth Limbury, daughter and heir of the relatively wealthy knight, Philip Limbury (see Appendix 1 ) whom he probably married in the late 1370s. There was a odeat difference in their ages, Thomas being about 27 years older than her, but after he died she never remarried. Instead she died a widow in 1433 outliving their two daughters, Anne and Joan. Despite her status as heir to her mother and fathers' estates in Somerset, Kent, Cambridge, Suffolk and Lincoln by 1388 (her brother was presumably dead by this thne - see Appendix 1 ), she probably did not fully inherit her entitlement until after her mother's death on 21st February 1388.⁵ In fact, Thomas Trivet had only just received the lands due to him and his wife, before he died suddenly in October that same year.⁶

He seems to have had no issue by his first wife, Joan, although he did obtain the manor of Limbury, Bedford through her death.⁷ Although this is stated in Trivet's Inquisition Post Mortem, it may be an error, mistakenly attributed to Joan when in fact it probably belonged to his second wife. Elizabeth. whose father died in possession of the manor in 1367 or 1368.⁸ If it in fact did belong Io Joan then it is reasonable to assume that Joan was a member of the Limbury family or closely connected with them on the assumption that Bedford was one of the family's strongholds. For example, at the turn of the century, a John

1 John died after Thomas m 1304 and had no living male heirs at his death (IMP 15-23 Richard II, vol. XVII), p.447 (no. 1258). I have assumed that his mother was called Elizabeth since a 'John' and an 'Elizabeth Trivet' are mentioned in CCR 1343-6, p. 635 as having tenements m Northaston, Oxfordshire in July 1345 - Thomas Trivet held the manor of Northaston at his death (IMP 7-15-.Richard II.vol. XVI, p.297)

2 Kingsford. DNB. vol. XIX, p.l163

3 The register of the Black Prince AD 1351-1365,(part II- Duchy of Cornwall),(1935),p.206 & p.213

4 Kingsford, DNB. vol. XIX, p.1163 - which suggests that John was Thomas's brother, but I am not convinced by this.

5 IMP 7-l5 Richard II Vol.XVI. p.205-6 (nos. 534-7.)Joan died in 1388 the widow of John Clinton She

was jointly enfeoffed of the said lands with Philip Limbury, (her first husband).

6 CCR 1389-92,p.65. The King took the necessary homage on 3rd August 1388.

7 IMP 7-15 Richard II. vol. XV1. pp.298-9 {no. 769).

8 IMP Edward III, vol.XII, p.128 {no. I52)