Thomas de Stratford (also called Thomas Stratford) was a medieval Archdeacon of Gloucester of the Noble House of Stratford.
Early life Stratford attended Oxford University and in 1348 and 1349 held the position of Senior Proctor.John Ayliffe "The Antient and Present State of the University of Oxford ..., Volume 2" p. 290 He was born into the wealthy Stratford Family of Stratford-on-Avon, and was related to Ralph Stratford (Bishop of London), Sir Andrew de Stratford, John de Stratford (Archbishop of Canterbury) and Robert de Stratford (Bishop of Chester) - possibly a younger brother to the latter two, alongside Henry de Stratford.Gerald Stratford "The Stratford Family History" Chapter 4
Career By 1367 Thomas was Archdeacon of Gloucester, and in lifelong possession of the manor of Shottery, having been given it by his (possible) brother Robert, who had in turn received it from his brother John.'The borough of Stratford-upon-Avon: Manors', A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 3: Barlichway hundred (1945), pp. 258-266. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57019 Date accessed: 29 May 2014. In 1369, however, he was reported as "dwelling in London".Bliss and Twemlow "Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland. : Papal Letters, Volume 4 : 1362-1404" p. 81
Later life and death From 10 October 1375 until his death on 12 June 1396 Thomas de Stratford held the position of Prior of Caldwell.David Knowles, David M. Smith "The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales, III. 1377-1540" p. 402http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityAndLiving/ArchivesAndRecordOffice/CommunityArchives/Bedford/ThePriorsOfCauldwell.aspx
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