Sir Thomas de la Pole 
Sir Thomas was born in 1378 in of Grafton Regis, Northampton. Sir Thomas' father was Sir Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk and his mother was Katherine de Wingfield. His paternal grandparents were Sir William de la Pole Earl of Suffolk and Katherine de Norwich; his maternal grandparents were Sir John de Wingfield and Eleanor Glanville. He had three brothers and a sister, named Michael de la Pole, Richard, William and Anne. He died at the age of 42 on August 8th, 1420.General Notes
Thomas de la Pole, father of Katherine, who married Myles Stapleton, is now considered to be the son of Michael de la Pole, the first earl of Suffolk, and
not the son of Michael the second earl and Katherine Stafford. This research is based on the Calendar of Close Rolls into the manor of Grafton Regis. In a rare book at our State library it also states the following: "Sir Michael de la Pole who in 28 Edward III had a grant of free warren in Bliburgh in Lincolnshire,
Gresthorp in Notts. and Grafton. In 1359 this Michael de la Pole with the king's permission acquired or had a confirmation of this manor in fee, from the Abbot and convent of Grestein and by line in 1383 settled it on his younger sons William de la Pole, Richard de la Pole and Thomas de la Pole successively in tail male remainder to himself in fee (a) Cotton MSS Vesp. Exxij fol 96. At this period he was Lord Chancellor of England and in 1385 he was created Earl of Suffolk, but the year following fled the charge of treason and was outlawed. On an inquitision of his estates in 1388 the above fine was recited, by which the manor was secured to his son William de la Pole; on his decease without issue in 1390 it devolved by virtue of this settlement on his brother Richard de la Pole a minor 12 years of age who also dying issueless, was succeeded in 1403 by his brother Thomas de la Pole then 26 years of age (Esc. Henry V no.
39) and afterwards knighted. He died August 8 1420 having three years before devised his manor of Grafton to trustees, who after his death conveyed it to Lady Anne his widow in tail male (Esc. 8 Henry V No. 56) and her only son Thomas de la Pole dying during her lifetime in July 8 Henry VI (1430) a minor and unmarried, it was found by the office on his death, that Katherine de la Pole his sister aged 14 years was his heir, but the manor of Grafton ought, in the determination of his mother's life interest, to pass to his heir male William
de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, afterwards, Duke of Suffolk."
Also Dr. Rosemary Horrox in her book "The De La Poles of Hull" has Thomas who married Ann Cheney being the son of Michael the first earl. Dr. Horrox has the Thomas who was the son of Michael the second earl as a clerk who died in 1433.
The Complete Peerage under "Ingham" has Thomas de la Pole (the father of Katherine) being the son of Michael the second earl. However no reference is given. I think the problem arises from both Michaels having sons called Thomas. I have seen in other books Thomas being called the son of Michael the second earl, but no authority is given. I would be interested to learn if anyone has a source that has Thomas being the son of Michael the second earl.
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