He was the eldest son of the Judge, was bred to the law, and among other gentlemen of worth and dignity of the Co. Norfolk, was appointed a commissioner by act of parliament for raising the sum of l63,000 pounds by a poll-tax in l5l3 for defraying the expense of taking Teroven and Tournay. In l5l8 he covenanted to serve the king with ten men-at-arms; was sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk l5ll, l5l8, l525 & one of the masters of the courts of request in l529, serving also the same year as one of the King's Conncil with the Bishop of Lincoln. On Jan. l, l539, he attended the Duke of Norfolk at the marriage reception of King Henry VIII, and was knighted l545, on the return of the king from Boulogne, and on the death of that monarch was commissioned to take care of the peace of the co. Norfolk. He was a gentleman of great honor and worth, both at home and at court, and was one of the king's privy council. Upon his death, he ordered his body to be buried in the church of East Raynham.
Sources:
THE TOWNSENDS
NEW ENGLAND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, VOL. 29
TOWNSHEND HERITAGE
AMERICAN FAMILIES WITH BRITISH ANCESTRY