1362 THOMAS de BEEBY,
(45)
(Mercer).
Members of the Beeby family, originally from the township of the name, were settled at Leic. in the twelfth century. The above mayor, an opulent mercer, probably a son of John de Beeby 1307, was enrolled a brother of the gild merchant in 1334-5; was again mayor 1368, and M.P. for the borough 1351, 1355, 1360 and 1361. He died in 1383 and, if his wishes were carried out, was buried in St. Martin's church. His will, the earliest civic record of its kind extant, dated in 1382, was proved in the Consistory Court of Lincoln 16 February 1384, a copy being entered in the Episcopal registers there.
By it he directed that 300lbs. of wax should be burnt around his body before burial and afterwards distributed to parish priests to use at masses. He left legacies to St. Mary's altar in Beeby church, money for the repair of the bridges in Leic. and to several gilds. By Agnes, his wife, who survived him, he does not appear to have left issue.
Ancient arms of Beby or Beeby, as recorded by Nichols:-Gules, a cross moline argent. Plate 1.
(King Edward III came again to Leic. and rested at the abbey).
1368 THOMAS de BEEBY. (2)
