Background
Thomas was the son of Simon Fleming, 1st Baron Slane., and his wife Cecily Champernowne of Devon.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Thomas Fleming
Edit ProfileCareer
He was the commander of the guardians of the peace in County Meath in about 1385, and again in 1400. He was knighted in 1396. In 1412 he was licensed to hold a market and fair at Drumconrath in County Meath.
From what is known of his character, he seems to have been ruthless, determined and unscrupulous.
The marriage of the wealthy heiress Elizabeth Netterville of Dowth to Richard Rede, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, had given grave offence to other landowning families in Meath, who had no doubt hoped to marry her to one or other of their heirs. In April 1401 they ambushed Rede at Skryne, and imprisoned him in their castle nearby.
He was not released until he paid a ransom of £1000, a vast sum at the time, and he was also robbed of £200 which he had on his person, and some valuable official records. So serious a crime, involving an assault on a senior judge by a Commissioner for the Peace, might have been expected to bring down severe retribution on the wrongdoers, as the outraged Rede himself demanded.
William was the father of James Fleming, 7th Baron Slane.
