Thomas Legh

Sir Thomas Leigh or Legh (?1511–1545) was an English jurist and diplomat, who played a key role as agent of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Life The younger son of John Leigh, lord of the manor of Frizington, Cumberland, he was a cousin of Bishop Rowland Leigh (or Lee), scions of the ancient Leigh family of West Hall, High Legh, Cheshire. Leigh was educated at Eton College before entering King's College, Cambridge proceeding LLB in 1527, and LLD in 1531. He was called to the Bar 7 October 1531. In December 1532 he was appointed ambassador to the King of Denmark; Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys was unimpressed with Dr Leigh at this time. He was recalled from Denmark in March 1533, then being employed in 1533 by his cousin the bishop. He cited Catherine of Aragon to appear before Thomas Cranmer and hear the final divorce sentence in 1533, and in the same year also conducted an inquiry at Rievaulx Abbey which led to the resignation of the abbot. In January 1533-4 he was sent on another embassy to the Low Countries, passing through Antwerp and Lübeck. He returned to England in April, went again to Hamburg in May, and must have returned once more in the summer. On 4 June 1535 Richard Layton wrote to Cromwell recommending Leigh and himself to be Visitors of the northern religious houses. Leigh, however, was first sent with Sir John Price (or ap Rice); in July 1535 they went to Worcester, and then visited, 3 July Malvern, 20 August Lacock Abbey (after Malmesbury, Bradstock, and Stanley), 23 August Bruton Abbey, 3 September Wilton, 11 September Wherwell, 24 September Witney, 25 September Reading, 29 September Haliwell, 17 October Royston, and 19 October Walden. Leigh made a large profit out of the visitation, and complaints of his conduct were numerous. Leigh was always accompanied by fourteen men in livery and his brother, all of whom had to be rewarded. His style was flamboyant, and Cromwell found fault with him. Sir John ap Rice, who thought his treatment of the monks needlessly severe, describes his insolence. To Leigh's suggestion was due the suspension of the bishops' authority during the visitation.