A few years later, however, we have official evidence that the manor and advowson of Thimbleby were vested in the sovereign. By a deed (a copy of which is in the Rector's possession) dated 10th April, 7 Edward VI. (A.D. 1553), of the Court of Augmentations, a toft and messuage in Thimbleby were granted by the King to John Welcome; also "the lordship and manor of Thimblebye, with all its rights, &c., lately belonging to the monastery of Kirkstead;" also "the advowson and right of patronage of the Rectory and Church of Thymmelbie, aforesaid." in the next reign, of Mary, the benefice was presented, by the Queen herself, to William Brantinghame, being admitted on her nomination 19th Sept., 1554.[1]
A deed of that reign, dated 6th Feb., 1 and 2 Philip and Mary (1554), grants certain lands belonging to the manor of Thimblebie, to Anthony Kyme, for 21 years, at 10s. per annum.
St. Margaret's Church, Thimbleby.
Next, in the reign of Elizabeth, a deed dated 9th March, 4 Elizabeth (1562), grants certain tofts and lands to John Porter, for 21 years, at a rent of 18s. per annum; and finally, by deed dated June 30th, 1564, Elizabeth in consideration of the sum of £609 5s. 2d., confirms the above grants and leases to William Conyers and William Haber, both of the Middle Temple, the patronage of the Rectory, "to be held with the manor of Est Grenwich, in the countie of Kent, free of all duty or military service."
After a further hiatus in the parish history, we find another link in the records. The former property of the Thimblebys, of Poolham, and elsewhere, had been sold to a member of the Bolles family, in 1600; and Mr. Weir[2] tells us that in the reign of Charles II. the manor of Thimbleby belonged to Sir
