Thomas Stafford (your New DNB article)

Dear Professor Hicks,

Having read this together with other sources, I am coming to the conclusion that he may well have been older than his brothers Henry and Edward whom almost all sources give the birth years 1534 and 1535. My evidence is logical:
i) Your article title gives him an earlier birth;
ii) J.M.Robinson's book: "The Staffords" states that his parents had two sons named Henry, the elder of whom died in infancy, creating much scope for confusion;
iii) Thomas' appearance in Paris in 1550, almost as a pioneer of the "Grand Tour", suggests that he was at least seventeen, not fourteen or under. (A.F.Pollard, your DNB predecessor, puts his birth in about 1531).
iv) Because he was executed six years before his father died, his position is not so clear.
v) Everything about his revolt makes more sense

What do you make of this?

PS All of my information suggests that his sister Dorothy married Sir WILLIAM Stafford (of Grafton), not Sir Robert. According to the Tower's official history, Thomas was beheaded on Tower Hill and probably buried in St. Peter ad Vincula.

Yours in great curiosity,

Stephen Lark, author of "The Stafford Line" (a genealogical booklet).