Matthew Colthurst

Matthew Colthurst (by 1517 – 8 July 1559), of Wardour Castle, Wiltshire and Claverton, Somerset, was an English politician during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI.^[1]

Early life

Matthew was the son of Henry Colthurst of Edisford, near Clitheroe, Lancashire. It is thought that he was educated at the Middle Temple. It is thought that his first wife was Anne Grimston of Suffolk, daughter of Thomas Grimston. His second wife was Anne Sibell of Farningham, Kent, a daughter of Nicholas Sibell. He had five sons and three daughters with his second wife.^[1]

Career

He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Bath in 1545, Bletchingley in October 1553 and for Wilton in April 1554. He was a close associate of the Seymour brothers, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector of England, and Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, uncles to Edward VI.^[1]

Death

He died on 8 July 1559. He was succeeded by his son Edmund, who was about 15 years of age. His widow, Anne Colthurst, afterwards married Laurence Hyde, one of the executors of Colthurst's will. She thus became grandmother to the Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, and great-great-grandmother to Queen Mary II and Queen Anne.^[1]

References