Thomas of Rainhill Lancaster

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation. Thomas became Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland and is mentioned in a letter from the Queens Commision of Walter Devereux 1st Earl of Essex Ref: D/3531/F/1 at the Irish records Office. Thomas Lancaster Archbishop Armagh 1568 - 1584 By 1580 the Lancaster were being persecuted for their Religious faith being devout Catholics, this is probably the reason that Thomas's sons entered the preisthood, as had their predecessors and then moved away, one to Ireland, the others to Essex and Sussex. Rainhill Hall was originally a square building with an open court, now only the North and West wings survive and they are decending into ruin. One wing modernised to 2 storeys, the other open to the roof beams and formed a hall, with medieval windows and good quality craftsmanship, it was used as a chapel during the period of persecution.

• source. Neil Streeter notes & http://www.westboroughprb.co.uk/

Thomas married Margaret Laton 1560 c. (Margaret Laton was born circa 1542 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire England.)