Anthony Stapleton (c. 1514–1574) was a Tudor lawyer, member of parliament, and Clerk of the City of London.
[2][3][4][5] In her 1537 will Elizabeth (née Scrope), Dowager Countess of Oxford,[6] bequeathed Anthony Stapleton ten pounds 'towards his learning at the common law'.
He 'rarely missed a parliament' of the Inner Temple, was Reader in 1543, 1544, and 1553, 'and held the highest offices', serving as treasurer during the years 1555–7, and as governor in 1555 and 1566.
[2][7] Among his legal clients were Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland; his paternal uncle, Sir Brian Stapleton; John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford, whose will he witnessed in 1548; and the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, who paid him a retainer of 40s a year.
[2] In 1544 he was appointed Recorder for Colchester in Essex, perhaps through Lord Oxford's influence,[2] and in the same year was granted the reversion of the office of Town Clerk of London,[8] although he was not able to take up the position until 24 July 1570.