Thomas Legh (died 1545)

Sir Thomas Legh (died 1545) was an English jurist and diplomat, a principal agent of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell in the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Rowland Lee was a cousin. Legh proceeded B.C.L. in 1527, and D.C.L. in 1531. He became an advocate 7 October 1531. In December 1532 he was appointed ambassador to the king of Denmark; Eustace Chapuys was unimpressed with him at this time. He returned from Denmark in March 1533, and was employed in 1533 by his cousin the bishop. He cited Catherine of Aragon to appear before Thomas Cranmer and hear the final divorce sentence in 1533, and in the same year also conducted an inquiry at Rievaulx Abbey which led to the resignation of the abbot. In January 1533-4 he went on another embassy to the Low Countries, passing to Antwerp and Lübeck. He returned to England in April, went again to Hamburg in May, and must have returned once more in the summer.

On 4 June 1535 Richard Layton wrote to Cromwell recommending Legh and himself as visitors for the northern religious houses. Legh, however, was first sent with John ap Rice; in July 1535 they went to Worcester, and then visited, 3 July Malvern, 20 August Lacock Abbey (after Malmesbury, Bradstock, and Stanley), 23 August Bruton Abbey, 3 September Wilton, 11 September Wherwell, 24 September Witney, 25 September Reading, 29 September Haliwell, 17 October Royston, and 19 October Walden. Legh made a large profit out of the visitation, and complaints of his conduct were numerous. Legh was always accompanied by fourteen men in livery and his brother, all of whom had to be rewarded. His style was flamboyant, and Cromwell found fault with him. Ap Rice, who thought his treatment of the monks needlessly severe, describes his insolence. To Legh's suggestion was due the suspension of the bishops' authority during the visitation.

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