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OVERDO, Robert I, of Appleby, Westmld.
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Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
Offices Held
Biography
Although he was one of the most experienced parliamentarians to represent Appleby during our period, little is known about Robert I, who remains a rather shadowy figure. He was, no doubt, closely related to John Overdo, his colleague in three of the later Parliaments to which he was returned, and to Robert II*, who may well have been his son. On at least one occasion, in 1373, Robert I stood surety for another burgess, Robert Goldington†, on his return to Westminster. He was later involved in a lawsuit there, being sued, in 1378, along with Thomas Olifant and the vicar of Moorland in Westmorland, for a debt of 40 marks in the court of common pleas. Interestingly enough, the plaintiff, Thomas Appleby, was represented by Adam Crosby*, who also sat for the borough at this time.2