Although little is known of his immediate family, he is possibly a direct descendant of the famous Westmorland grammarian Richard Kendal (sometimes Richard de Kendall or Richard de Kendal). Modern research suggests that he may have been the son of John Kendall of Gloucester.
He was killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 whilst fighting in the King"s army. He is believed to be born in Appleby-in-Westmorland, England. Under Richard III"s reign, Kendal acquired his own land in York, and became the first to receive the Honorary Freedom of the city of York, essentially, the title of a "Freeman".
Kendal was a strong supporter of the Yorkist affinity.
Edward IV appointed him Cofferer to the Household and later Clerk of Works, where he was a reliable civil servant to the palatial royal household. During 1483 he obtained offices from April onwards on the death of the old king.
The Comptroller of the Exchange, Assayer of the Mint were all his from an affinity for the Liveried Guilds. But later that year he was re-appointed Chief Clerk and Keeper of the Rolls of the King"s Bench, so that by the time of Richard III"s coup d"etat he became Secretary.
On 1 August the Lord Chancellor of England"s Great Seal was sent to the Master of Rolls for safe-keeping, by which time Kendal was known to be senior to the Clerks.
Kendal was a prime mover in Richard treacherous regime, a longtime close associate as secretary to the duke of Gloucester. Kendal surmised the role of Secretary rendering it politically as important as it ever had been. After Bosworth he was attainted by Parliament for treason with other Ricardian adherents.
As King"s Receiver he made many enemies in the collection of tax revenues.
