bought a house in the Swinesmarket in the year 1594; and in the year 1605 he and his wife Elizabeth sold to Alderman Robert Herrick for £35 a house described as being "in the end of the street in the Saturday Market stead," presumably in Cheapside, near Herrick's own house.
The Chettle who in 1585 was certified as able to serve 240 barrels of beer a week may have been Thomas Chettle, who in 1598 was appointed to be one of the Wardens of the Occupation of Brewers, but Ralph Chettle the Baker was also a Brewer. There were many more Chettles — all Ralphs and Thomases.
During the 16th century three Tatams rose to some prominence in Leicester. Arthur Tatam became a prosperous tradesman and filled many important offices after he had sown his wild oats, for in his earlier days he was twice in one year dismissed from the Town Council "for certain disorders and for libelling" and "for his disorders committed against Mr. Hallam and Mr. Ellis." John Tatam, who was a wealthy Innkeeper as well as a Tanner and Alderman of the Northgate Ward, filled most of the municipal offices and was Mayor three times, in 1566-7, 1577-8 and 1590-1. He died in 1597, and his Will was proved at Leicester in the same year.
George Tatam, who, like all the other Tatams, was a Tanner, and Warden of the Occupation of Tanners, succeeded his brother John as Alderman of the Northgate, but died two years afterwards in 1599, and was buried at All Saints'. He was the most energetic member of the family, and was constantly engaged in various transactions on behalf of the town, especially in connection with landed property. He assisted in the purchase of the Newarke Grange, and in the suit with Dr. Chippingdale about the North Mills. He lived in the North Gate, where his goods were valued at £7 7s. 0d., but was Alderman of another Ward. He was Mayor in 1580 and again in 1594.
There were Reynolds in Leicester in the 14th century, but the name became better known a hundred years later. There seem to have been at least three generations of John Reynolds. John the Elder was Mayor in 1434, 1439, 1450 and 1458, and he liked the position so well that in 1461 he executed a deed,
172
