Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre (ca. 1515 – 1541) was an
English aristocrat notable for his conviction and execution for murder.
Dacre was the son of Sir Thomas Fiennes and Jane Sutton daughter of
Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley. When his father died in 1528 he became heir apparent to his
grandfather's title and the family seat at
Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex, and he succeeded to the title at the age of approximately 19 in 1533. In 1536 he married
Mary Nevill, daughter of
George Nevill, 5th Baron Bergavenny.
He was a member of the jury at the trial of
Anne Boleyn in 1536, and of
Thomas, Lord Darcy, and
John, Lord Hussey in May 1537 (for their part in the
Pilgrimage of Grace), and of
Baron Montagu and the
Marquess of Exeter in 1538 for the
Exeter Conspiracy.
On 30 April 1541 Dacre led a party of gentlemen including his brother-in-law John Mantell, John Frowds, George Roidon, Thomas Isleie, and two yeomen Richard Middleton and John Goldwell, to poach on the lands of Sir Nicholas Pelham of
Laughton. During the escapade they encountered John Busbrig (or Busbridge), James Busbrig, and Richard Summer who were servants of Pelham. The encounter turned into an affray during which John Busbrig was fatally wounded. Dacre and several others were charged with murder and arraigned before the
Lord High Steward,
Lord Audley of Walden on 27 June. Dacre originally entered a plea of not guilty but was later persuaded to change it to guilty and throw himself upon the King's mercy in...
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