Thomas Martin

Thomas Martin (also Thomas Martyn) (1521-1593), of Winterbourne St. Martin, Dorset; Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire, and London, was an English lawyer, controversialist and politician. He was prominent in the trial of Thomas Cranmer. Martin was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Saltash in October 1553; Hindon April 1554, November 1554 and 1555; and Ludgershall in 1558. Early life and education A younger son of John Martyn, gentleman, he was born at Cerne, Dorset. He educated first at Winchester School and then at New College, Oxford. He became a Fellow of his college 7 March 1538, and after two years of probation, in 1539 admitted perpetual fellow. He is said to have acted as Lord of Misrule during some Christmas festivities at the college. Subsequently, he travelled with pupils in France, and took the degree of doctor of civil law at Bourges. In 1553 Martin resigned his fellowship at New College. He was admitted a member of the College of Advocates at Doctors' Commons 15 January 1555.