Henry Unton, MP

Family and Education b. ?1535, 2nd s. of Sir Alexander Unton of Chequers, Bucks. and Wadley, Berks. by 2nd w. Cecily, da. of Edward Bulstrode of Hedgerley, Bucks.; bro. of Edward. educ. ?Peterhouse, Camb. adm. Mich. 1547. prob. unm., s.p.1

Offices Held

Biography The suggested identification of this Member rests upon the concurrent election of Unton’s brother Edward for Malmesbury and the access which both enjoyed to local patronage. Their stepfather Robert Keilway II was prominent in Wiltshire and the sheriff at the time was John Erneley with whom they were linked in marriage through the Hyde family of Denchworth; of particular significance for the younger Unton’s election is the fact that the bailiff of Heytesbury, William Button II, was a kinsman and associate of William Hyde.

Unlike his brother (but not his uncle Edmund Ashfield), Unton was not prosecuted in the King’s bench for being absent when the House was called early in 1555. Since the brothers could have been expected to act together, it may be that this circumstance, taken in conjunction with the silence which descends on the younger one, implies that he died during or shortly after the Parliament and was for that reason omitted from the list of those proceeded against. He is not mentioned in his brother’ wills of 1563 and 1581 or in the account of Sir Edward Unton’s funeral in 1582.2

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558 Author: R. L. Davids Notes 1. Date of birth estimated from elder brother’s. Wards 7/4/21, 29, 42; PCC 30 Populwell; Vis. Berks. (Harl. Soc. lvii), 222; Vis. Bucks. (ibid. lviii), 149. 2. PCC 35 Tirwhite, 4 Morrison; J. G. Nichols, Unton Inventories, pp. xxiv, xlv.