Sir Thomas Bell d.1566, was a Member of Parliament (MP) during the reign of King Edward VI and Queen Mary I. He served as mayor of Gloucester in 1536, 1544, and 1553.

He was knighted on 27 February 1546/7.

He married Joan Sibill? (known as Lady Bell)

Sir Thomas Bell was a native of Worcestershire and a successful merchant, employer, and manufactuer of hats (capper). He also thrived in real estate having acquiring significant propery throughout worcestershire in parternership with Richard Duke, who was clerk of the court from 1536 until 1554. Some property of note that they procured was:

• A stable and garden in Gloucester and property in Lydney and Ripple (Worcs.), previously supporting a chantry at St. Mary's parish;

• Two burgages and also land in Gloucester, Tredworth, and elswhere, with a a rent of 12d., in Pedmarsh field, all of which had been previously employed with supporting St. Mary's chantry at St. Nicholas' church in Gloucester; • part of the endowments of St. Mary's chantry at St. Owen's church, all in the City of Gloucester.

• A tenement in the City of Gloucester bringing in 22s a year, purchased in 1548 and had been previously supporting a chantry at St. Mary's parish.

Bell was also the founder of St Kyneburgh's Hospital, also known as the Kimbrose, on the site of St. Kyneburgh's chapel at the south gate. In 1559 Bell had also built and almshouse there at the time he drafted his will leaving it, with endowments, to the city corporation. However, in 1562, he settled it on a body of trustees, who took possession after the deaths of Bell and his wife Joan. "In 1566 and 1567 respectively. 70 Under the terms of the trust deed the hospital was to maintain six poor people, one of them to be if possible a burgess. It gave the site of Whitefriars, Morin's Mill in Brook Street, six houses, and the rent of another house, having a total nominal value if £16-0s-4d."

The Arms of Sir Thomas Bell: Argent on a Chevron between three Falcoln's Bells on a Chief Gules a Hawk's lure Argent stringed Or between two Falcoln's Argent four Bars. The Crest is on a Wreath An Arm embowed vested Gules Cuffed Or supporting in the hand proper a Battleaxe the shaft Gules

Living Gloucester [1]