# Mayor of Barnstaple

The Mayor of Barnstaple together with the Corporation long governed the historic Borough of Barnstaple, in North Devon, England. The seat of government was the Barnstaple Guildhall. The mayor served a term of one year and was elected annually on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin (15 August) by a jury of twelve.
However Barnstaple was a mesne borough and was held by the Mayor and Corporation in chief not from the king but from the feudal baron of Barnstaple, later known as the lord of the "Castle Manor" or "Castle Court". The Corporation tried on several occasions to claim the status of a "free borough" which answered directly to the monarch and to divest itself of this overlordship, but without success. The mayor was not recognised as such by the monarch, but merely as the bailiff of the feudal baron. The powers of the borough were highly restricted, as was determined by an inquisition ad quod damnum during the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377), which from an inspection of evidence found that members of the corporation elected their mayor only by permission of the lord, legal pleas were held in a court at which the lord's steward, not the mayor, presided, that the borough was taxed by the county assessors, and that the lord held the various assizes which the burgesses claimed. Indeed, the purported ancient royal charter supposedly granted by the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelstan (d.939) (King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to 939) and held by the corporation, from which it claimed its borough status, was suspected to be a forgery.
Since 1974 Barnstaple has been a civil parish governed by a town council.

## List of mayors

An incomplete list of the mayors of Barnstaple between 1303 and 1793, was compiled by Benjamin Incledon (1730–1796) of Pilton House, Pilton, near Barnstaple in North Devon, an antiquarian and genealogist, and was published in 1830 within Joseph Besly Gribble's work "Memorials of Barnstaple". A list of mayors from 1301 to 2002 was more recently published in Lois Lamplugh's 2002 work Barnstaple: Town on the Taw, which is based on the complete list which hangs in the Mayor's Parlour of Barnstaple's Guildhall.
The following were mayors of Barnstaple, Devon, England, ordered by monarch:
Edward II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1301 | 1303 | Simon de la Barre | First recorded Mayor of Barnstaple, although we know that many came before. |
| 1303 | 1310 | Ralph Wynemore | |
| 1310 | 1314 | Simon de la Barre | |
| 1314 | 1316 | John Pollard | |
| 1316 | 1318 | John Collacott M.P. | |
| 1318 | 1322 | John Pollard | |
| 1322 | 1323 | Thomas de la Barre M.P. | |
| 1323 | 1324 | John Collacott | |
| 1324 | 1326 | Bernard de la Bow M.P. | |
| 1326 | 1327 | John Collacott M.P. | |
Edward III :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1327 | 1330 | Geoffrey Dyer | |
| 1330 | 1331 | John Collacott | |
| 1331 | 1332 | Gemian Dirna | |
| 1332 | 1333 | Thomas de la Barre M.P. | In 1332, a writ was issued by Edward III to inquire into an alleged indictment for burglary at the Priory in which the Mayor and twenty six burgesses were involved. |
| 1333 | 1334 | John Pollard | |
| 1334 | 1335 | Galfridus de Fremington | |
| 1335 | 1336 | Thomas de la Barre | |
| 1336 | 1339 | Ralph Smallcombe | |
| 1339 | 1347 | Roger Molland M.P. | Molland holds the record for longest consecutive terms served as Barnstaple's Mayor (8 years). Thomas Holman (Mayor for various terms between 1400 and 1415) also served 8 years in total. Only one Mayor has served for longer (Charles F. Dart, 1932-1935, then 1938-1945). |
| 1347 | 1348 | Arnulf Stone | |
| 1348 | 1349 | John Collin | |
| 1349 | 1350 | Bernard Molland | |
| 1350 | 1351 | Robert Dirna | |
| 1351 | 1352 | Thomas Widger | |
| 1352 | 1353 | John Boughdon | |
| 1353 | 1354 | John Squire | |
| 1354 | 1355 | Adam Polman | |
| 1355 | 1356 | John Pugsley | |
| 1356 | 1357 | John Widger | |
| 1357 | 1358 | Simon de la Barre | |
| 1358 | 1359 | Walter Ford | |
| 1359 | 1360 | Simon de la Barre | |
| 1360 | 1361 | Simon Bade M.P. | |
| 1361 | 1362 | Adam Polman | |
| 1362 | 1363 | John Webber | |
| 1363 | 1364 | Walter Yeo | |
| 1364 | 1365 | Richard Dulverton | |
| 1365 | 1369 | William Gibbs | |
| 1369 | 1370 | Simon Bade M.P. | |
| 1370 | 1372 | Richard Dulverton | |
| 1372 | 1373 | William Webber | |
| 1373 | 1374 | William Gibbs | |
| 1374 | 1375 | Richard Dulverton | |
| 1375 | 1376 | Simon Base M.P. | |
| 1376 | 1378 | John Neele | |
Richard II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1378 | 1379 | Simon Bade | |
| 1379 | 1380 | Thomas Lely | |
| 1380 | 1381 | Joyce Anthony | |
| 1381 | 1382 | Thomas Lely | |
| 1382 | 1384 | John Bidwell M.P. | |
| 1384 | 1385 | Thomas Lely | |
| 1385 | 1387 | Joyce Antony | By Antony's second term (1386) he was listed as an M.P. for the borough. |
| 1387 | 1388 | Simon Bade | |
| 1388 | 1390 | John Pitman | |
| 1390 | 1393 | Thomas Hurscott | |
| 1393 | 1395 | Walter Spencer | By Spencer's second term, he was now listed as an M.P. for the borough. |
| 1395 | 1397 | John Bidwell M.P. | |
| 1397 | 1398 | Thomas Hooper M.P. | |
| 1398 | 1399 | William Fulke | |
| 1399 | 1400 | John Bidwell | |
| 1400 | 1403 | Thomas Holman M.P. | |
Henry IV :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1403 | 1404 | Thomas Hurtescott |
| 1404 | 1405 | John Pitman |
| 1405 | 1407 | Thomas Holman |
| 1407 | 1411 | Thomas Hooper |
| 1411 | 1413 | Thomas Holman |
| 1413 | 1414 | Thomas Walsh |
Henry V :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1414 | 1415 | Thomas Holman | At the end of Holman's last term, he had served eight years (not consecutively) as Mayor of Barnstaple, which makes him joint second for longest time in office. |
| 1415 | 1416 | William Hertescott | |
| 1416 | 1417 | Thomas Hooper | |
| 1417 | 1418 | Thomas Walsh | |
| 1418 | 1419 | Henry Redwin M.P. | |
| 1419 | 1423 | Thomas Hooper | |
Henry VI :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1423 | 1424 | William Hertescott | |
| 1424 | 1425 | Thomas Hooper | |
| 1425 | 1426 | John Cokeworth and John More | Could be John Cokeworthy I, a local politician. Presumably John Cokeworth passed away while in office, but this is not known for certain. |
| 1426 | 1427 | John Goldsmith | |
| 1427 | 1428 | Thomas Hooper | Served seven years total as Mayor, making him the fourth longest serving Mayor of Barnstaple. |
| 1428 | 1432 | John Goldsmith | |
| 1432 | 1433 | William Hertescott | |
| 1433 | 1434 | William Bedwin | |
| 1434 | 1435 | Richard Bowden | |
| 1435 | 1437 | William Hertescott | |
| 1437 | 1438 | William Bowden | |
| 1438 | 1439 | William Rowe | |
| 1439 | 1441 | Richard Bowden | |
| 1441 | 1442 | John Mules | |
| 1442 | 1443 | Richard Norris | |
| 1443 | 1444 | William Bedwin | |
| 1444 | 1445 | John Mules | |
| 1445 | 1446 | Walter Hay | |
| 1446 | 1447 | Richard Rowe | |
| 1447 | 1448 | Walter Hayman | |
| 1448 | 1449 | William Hertescott | |
| 1449 | 1451 | Richard Newcombe | |
| 1451 | 1452 | Nichola Bovey | |
| 1452 | 1453 | William Upcott | |
| 1453 | 1454 | Richard Pickard | |
| 1454 | 1455 | John Widger | |
| 1455 | 1456 | Walter Gaynock | |
| 1456 | 1457 | William Charnier | |
| 1457 | 1358 | Walter Gaynock | |
| 1458 | 1459 | Richard Newcombe | |
| 1459 | 1460 | John Widger | The start of an 18 year stint of only Mayors named John. |
| 1460 | 1461 | John Bowden | |
| 1461 | 1462 | John Smith | |
Edward IV :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1462 | 1463 | John Collins | |
| 1463 | 1464 | John Widger | |
| 1464 | 1465 | John Collins | |
| 1465 | 1466 | John Widger | |
| 1466 | 1467 | John Bowden | |
| 1467 | 1468 | John Widger | |
| 1468 | 1469 | John Pugsley | |
| 1469 | 1470 | John Bowden | |
| 1470 | 1471 | John Widger | |
| 1471 | 1472 | John Squire | |
| 1472 | 1473 | John Widger | |
| 1473 | 1474 | John Bowden | |
| 1474 | 1475 | John Pugsley | |
| 1475 | 1476 | John Collins | |
| 1476 | 1477 | John Hart | |
| 1477 | 1478 | Philip Stigan | And with the swearing in of Philip Stigan comes the end of the 18-year stint of Johns. |
| 1478 | 1479 | John Branton | |
| 1479 | 1480 | John Bowden | |
| 1480 | 1481 | Thomas White | |
| 1481 | 1482 | John Bowden | |
| 1482 | 1483 | Richard Crews | |
| 1483 | 1484 | Robert Symons | |
Richard II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1484 | 1485 | John Smith |
| 1485 | 1486 | Walter Nicholls |
Henry VII :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1486 | 1487 | William Dallington |
| 1487 | 1488 | William Hart |
| 1488 | 1489 | Philip Warington |
| 1489 | 1490 | Robert Symons |
| 1490 | 1491 | John Salisbury |
| 1491 | 1492 | William Dallington |
| 1492 | 1493 | Roger Colmer |
| 1493 | 1494 | Richard Parminter |
| 1494 | 1495 | Robert Symons |
| 1495 | 1496 | Arthur Merryfield |
| 1496 | 1497 | John Salisbury |
| 1497 | 1498 | Roger Colmer |
| 1498 | 1499 | Richard Parminter |
| 1499 | 1500 | William Cosby |
| 1500 | 1501 | John Salisbury |
| 1501 | 1502 | Richard Dobyn |
| 1502 | 1503 | Richard Symons |
| 1503 | 1504 | Philip Warington |
| 1504 | 1505 | Arthur Merryfield |
| 1505 | 1506 | John Upcott |
| 1506 | 1507 | John Smith |
| 1507 | 1508 | William Dolyn |
| 1508 | 1509 | Thomas Story |
| 1509 | 1510 | Robert Colmer |
Henry VIII :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1510 | 1511 | John Godsland | |
| 1511 | 1512 | Thomas Story | |
| 1512 | 1513 | William Dobney | |
| 1513 | 1514 | John Godsland | |
| 1514 | 1515 | Thomas Beck | |
| 1515 | 1516 | Thomas Ferrye | Probably a misspelling of the later Mayor Thomas Ferry (1519-1520). |
| 1516 | 1517 | Thomas Alec | |
| 1517 | 1518 | Robert Colmer | |
| 1518 | 1519 | Thomas Alec | |
| 1519 | 1520 | Thomas Ferry | |
| 1520 | 1521 | Robert Cockram | |
| 1521 | 1522 | Paul Smith | |
| 1522 | 1523 | John Upcott | |
| 1523 | 1524 | John Merryfield | |
| 1524 | 1525 | Arthur Merryfield | |
| 1525 | 1526 | John Godsland | |
| 1526 | 1527 | Philip Colman | |
| 1527 | 1529 | Richard Haydon | |
| 1529 | 1530 | Thomas Beck | |
| 1530 | 1531 | Walter Salisbury | |
| 1531 | 1532 | Paul Smith | |
| 1532 | 1533 | John Manyng | |
| 1533 | 1534 | Richard Gay | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1534 | 1535 | David Philips | |
| 1535 | 1536 | John Manyng | |
| 1536 | 1537 | Philip Colmer | |
| 1537 | 1538 | Baldwin Peard | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1538 | 1539 | Richard Skinner | |
| 1539 | 1540 | Walter Salisbury | |
| 1540 | 1541 | Henry Drewe | |
| 1541 | 1542 | John Manyng | |
| 1542 | 1543 | Richard Gay | |
| 1543 | 1544 | Thomas Jeffries | |
| 1544 | 1545 | John Godsland | |
| 1545 | 1546 | John Holland | |
| 1546 | 1547 | William Canford | |
| 1547 | 1548 | Thomas Davy | |
Edward VI :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1548 | 1549 | Henry Cade |
| 1549 | 1550 | Roger Worth |
| 1550 | 1551 | James Godsland |
| 1551 | 1552 | Richard Skinner |
| 1552 | 1553 | Thomas Davy |
| 1553 | 1554 | John Smith |
Mary :
| Start of term | End of Term | Name | Notes |
| 1554 | 1555 | Robert Apley | |
| 1555 | 1556 | Robert Cade | |
| 1556 | 1557 | George Stapleton | Stapleton was the first officially chartered Mayor of the Borough. |
| 1557 | 1558 | John Dart | |
| 1558 | 1559 | William Salusbury | Misspelled as 'Salisbury' on Barnstaple's official List of Mayors. Salusbury was also M.P. for Barnstaple between 1554 and 1558. |
Elizabeth :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1559 | 1560 | John Beaple | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1560 | 1561 | Edward Colscott | |
| 1561 | 1562 | John Daymond | |
| 1562 | 1563 | Nicholas Whichalse | |
| 1563 | 1564 | William Dawkins | |
| 1564 | 1565 | Hugh Brazier | |
| 1565 | 1566 | Oliver Peard | |
| 1566 | 1567 | John Daymond | |
| 1567 | 1568 | John Arscott | |
| 1568 | 1569 | John Dart | |
| 1569 | 1570 | Robert Apley | |
| 1570 | 1571 | Robert Cade | |
| 1571 | 1572 | Thomas Beaple | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1572 | 1573 | Philip Holland | |
| 1573 | 1574 | Hugh Brazier | |
| 1574 | 1575 | William Dawkins | |
| 1575 | 1576 | John Barrett | |
| 1576 | 1577 | William Collibear | |
| 1577 | 1578 | Paul Worth | |
| 1578 | 1579 | John Harris | |
| 1579 | 1580 | John Dodderidge | Was M.P. for Barnstaple between 1646 and 1654. John Dodderidge was the grandfather of Pentecost Dodderidge, the original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall. Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1580 | 1581 | John Welsh | |
| 1581 | 1582 | John Daymond | |
| 1582 | 1583 | Robert Apley | |
| 1583 | 1584 | Richard Apley | |
| 1584 | 1585 | William Collibear | |
| 1585 | 1586 | William Palmer | |
| 1586 | 1587 | George Pyne | |
| 1587 | 1587 | Richard Peard | Died while in office, was succeeded by John Harris. Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1587 | 1588 | John Harris | |
| 1588 | 1589 | Robert Prowse | |
| 1589 | 1590 | Richard Dodderidge | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. Father of Pentecost Dodderidge, original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1590 | 1591 | Roger Beaple | |
| 1591 | 1592 | Roger Cade | |
| 1592 | 1593 | Paul Worth | |
| 1593 | 1594 | James Beaple | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1594 | 1595 | William Collibear | |
| 1595 | 1596 | George Pyne | |
| 1596 | 1597 | John Harris | |
| 1597 | 1598 | Robert Apley Jr | |
| 1598 | 1599 | Nicholas Down | |
| 1599 | 1600 | Roger Beaple | |
| 1600 | 1601 | John Delbridge | |
| 1601 | 1602 | George Stanbury | |
| 1602 | 1603 | Bartholemew Harris | |
| 1603 | 1604 | Paul Worth | |
James I :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1604 | 1605 | James Beaple | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1605 | 1606 | James Woodroffe | |
| 1606 | 1607 | John Peard | |
| 1607 | 1608 | Richard Beaple | |
| 1608 | 1609 | Richard Harris | |
| 1609 | 1610 | James Downe | |
| 1610 | 1611 | William Shapleigh | |
| 1611 | 1612 | Pentecost Dodderidge | Original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall. Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1612 | 1613 | William Palmer | |
| 1613 | 1614 | Nicholas Downe | |
| 1614 | 1615 | Adam Lugge | |
| 1615 | 1616 | John Delbridge | |
| 1616 | 1617 | George Baker | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1617 | 1618 | James Balteel | |
| 1618 | 1619 | Thomas Westlake | |
| 1619 | 1620 | Nicholas Deldridge | |
| 1620 | 1621 | John Penrose | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. A portrait of John Penrose hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1621 | 1622 | Richard Beaple | |
| 1622 | 1623 | John Pearl | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1623 | 1624 | Justinian Westcomb | |
| 1624 | 1625 | John Hanmer | |
| 1625 | 1626 | Edward Eastcond | |
Charles I :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1626 | 1627 | Richard Harris | |
| 1627 | 1628 | Pentecost Dodderidge | |
| 1628 | 1629 | Nicholas Downe | |
| 1629 | 1630 | Gilbert Paige | Misspelled on the List of Mayors in Barnstaple's Guildhall as 'Gilbert Page'. |
| 1630 | 1631 | Richard Medford | |
| 1631 | 1632 | William Palmer | |
| 1632 | 1633 | Richard Ferris | |
| 1633 | 1634 | John Delbridge | |
| 1634 | 1635 | Alexander Horwood | |
| 1635 | 1636 | Richard Beaple | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1636 | 1637 | Henry Mason | |
| 1637 | 1638 | Pentecost Dodderidge | |
| 1638 | 1638 | George Ferris | |
| 1638 | 1639 | Anthony Gay | |
| 1639 | 1640 | Walter Tucker | |
| 1640 | 1641 | Thomas Horwood | Misspelled on the List of Mayors in Barnstaple's Guildhall as 'Thomas Hocwood', despite Alexander Horwood's name being spelled correctly six years earlier. |
| 1641 | 1642 | Gilbert Paige | |
| 1642 | 1643 | William Palmer | |
| 1643 | 1644 | Charles Peard | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1644 | 1645 | Adam Lugge | |
| 1645 | 1646 | John Downe | |
| 1646 | 1647 | Richard Ferris | |
| 1647 | 1648 | William Nottel | |
| 1648 | 1649 | Richard Harris | |
| 1649 | 1650 | Nicholas Cooke | |
The Commonwealth :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1650 | 1651 | Hugh Horsham |
| 1651 | 1652 | Thomas Dennys |
| 1652 | 1653 | Thomas Matthew |
| 1653 | 1654 | Thomas Horwood |
| 1654 | 1655 | John Horwood |
| 1655 | 1656 | Richard Medford |
| 1656 | 1657 | Roger Jeffrey |
| 1657 | 1658 | Peter Docton |
| 1658 | 1659 | Joseph Delbridge |
| 1659 | 1660 | William Westcomb |
| 1660 | 1661 | Richard Hooper |
Charles II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1661 | 1662 | Adam Lugge | |
| 1662 | 1663 | John Downe | |
| 1663 | 1664 | Arthur Ackland | |
| 1664 | 1665 | John Seldon | |
| 1665 | 1666 | John Palmer | |
| 1666 | 1667 | John Gread | |
| 1667 | 1668 | Thomas Matthew | |
| 1668 | 1669 | Thomas Cox | |
| 1669 | 1670 | Richard Medford | |
| 1670 | 1671 | Roger Jeffrey | |
| 1671 | 1672 | George Roobe | |
| 1672 | 1673 | William Westcomb | |
| 1673 | 1674 | Christopher Hunt | |
| 1674 | 1675 | Richard Hooper | |
| 1675 | 1676 | Thomas Cole | |
| 1676 | 1677 | Thomas Harris | |
| 1677 | 1678 | Richard Salisbury | |
| 1678 | 1679 | John Fairchild | |
| 1679 | 1680 | Henry Drake | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1680 | 1681 | John Stephens | |
| 1681 | 1682 | Hugh Marshall | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1682 | 1683 | William Wakeman | |
| 1683 | 1684 | Edward Rice | |
| 1684 | 1685 | George Fairchild | |
| 1685 | 1686 | John Peard | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
James II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1686 | 1687 | John Blake |
| 1687 | 1688 | Henry Ravening |
| 1688 | 1689 | Richard Barnes |
| 1689 | 1690 | Christopher Hunt |
William and Mary :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1690 | 1691 | James Kimpland | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1691 | 1692 | Nicholas Cooke | |
| 1692 | 1693 | Thomas Seldon | |
| 1693 | 1694 | John Hunt | |
| 1694 | 1695 | Nicholas Ginger | |
| 1695 | 1696 | William Greenslade | |
| 1696 | 1697 | Geoffrey Bagilhole | |
| 1697 | 1698 | Charles Standish | |
| 1698 | 1698 | Nathaniel Cox | Died in office, succeeded by Hugh Marshall. |
| 1698 | 1699 | Hugh Marshall | |
| 1699 | 1700 | Richard Cornish | |
| 1700 | 1701 | Thomas Harris | |
| 1701 | 1702 | John Rowley | |
| 1702 | 1703 | John Webber | |
Anne :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1703 | 1703 | Philip Greenslade | Died in office, succeeded by W. Wakeman. |
| 1703 | 1704 | W. Wakeman | |
| 1704 | 1705 | Richard Cornish | |
| 1705 | 1706 | Benjamin Baller | |
| 1706 | 1707 | William Tailor | |
| 1707 | 1708 | James Slodey | |
| 1708 | 1709 | Richard Methuish | |
| 1709 | 1710 | Robert Gread | |
| 1710 | 1711 | John Phillips | |
| 1711 | 1712 | John Marshall | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1712 | 1713 | Robert Incledon | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1713 | 1714 | Giles Randle | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1714 | 1715 | William Roberts | |
George I :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1715 | 1716 | John Baker | |
| 1716 | 1717 | Christopher Luntro | |
| 1717 | 1718 | Robert Nicholls | |
| 1718 | 1719 | Edward Fairchild | |
| 1719 | 1720 | John Webber | |
| 1720 | 1721 | John Phillips | |
| 1721 | 1722 | Robert Incledon | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. A portrait of Robert Incledon hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1722 | 1723 | Lewis Gregory | |
| 1723 | 1724 | James Kimpland | |
| 1724 | 1725 | Zachary Chappell | |
| 1725 | 1726 | Edward Fairchild | |
| 1726 | 1727 | John Gaydon | A portrait of John Gaydon hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1727 | 1728 | John Marshall | |
George II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1728 | 1729 | Richard Newell | A portrait of Richard Newell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1729 | 1730 | John Baker | A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1730 | 1731 | George Score | A portrait of George Score hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1731 | 1732 | Samuel Berry | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. A portrait of Samuel Berry hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1732 | 1733 | Benjamin Baller | |
| 1733 | 1734 | Thomas Harris | A portrait of Thomas Harris hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1734 | 1735 | Charles Velby | A portrait of Charles Velby hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Charles Velly'. |
| 1735 | 1736 | Richard Knight | A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1736 | 1737 | Paul Tucker | A portrait of Paul Tucker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1737 | 1738 | Alexander Webber | A portrait of Alexander Webber hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1738 | 1739 | Henry Beavis | A portrait of Henry Beavis hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1739 | 1740 | George Wickey | A portrait of George Wickey hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1740 | 1741 | John Fraine | A portrait of John Fraine hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1741 | 1742 | Matthew Roch | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1742 | 1743 | Roger Chappell | A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'. |
| 1743 | 1744 | John Baker | A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1744 | 1745 | Charles Wright | A portrait of Charles Wright hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1745 | 1746 | Robert King | A portrait of Robert King hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1746 | 1747 | Marshall Swayne | A portrait of Marshall Swayne hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1747 | 1748 | Mark Slee | A portrait of Mark Slee hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1748 | 1749 | Charles Marshall | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. A portrait of Charles Marshall hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1749 | 1750 | Charles Velby | A portrait of Charles Velby hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Charles Velly'. |
| 1750 | 1751 | Richard Knight | A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1751 | 1752 | Henry Beavis | A portrait of Henry Beavis hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1752 | 1753 | John Fraine | A portrait of John Fraine hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1753 | 1754 | Matthew Roch | A portrait of Matthew Roch hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1754 | 1755 | Benjamin Grant | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1755 | 1756 | Richard Thorne | |
| 1756 | 1757 | Daniell Marriott | |
| 1757 | 1758 | Henry Drake | A portrait of Henry Drake hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1758 | 1759 | Paul Tucker | A portrait of Paul Tucker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1759 | 1760 | Thomas Earl | |
| 1760 | 1761 | Mounier Roch | Son of Matthew Roch, Mayor of 1753. |
George III :
| | Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1761 | 1761 | Charles Venn | Died in office, succeeded by Richard Knight. |
| 1761 | 1762 | Richard Knight | A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1762 | 1763 | Roger Chappell | A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'. |
| 1763 | 1764 | Charles Marshall | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. A portrait of Charles Marshall hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1764 | 1765 | John Baker | A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1765 | 1766 | Edward Houndle | |
| 1766 | 1767 | Nicholas Shepperd | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1767 | 1768 | Richard Thorne | |
| 1768 | 1769 | Daniel Mariott | |
| 1769 | 1769 | Richard Honychurch | Richard Honychurch died on the day he was sworn in. Given this day (9 November 1769) is often cited as the day Barnstaple had three Mayors, it can be assumed that S. Moule was sworn in to succeed Honychurch on the same day. |
| 1769 | 1770 | S Moule | |
| 1770 | 1771 | Samuel Chappell | |
| 1771 | 1772 | John Robins | |
| 1772 | 1773 | Henry Colley | |
| 1773 | 1774 | Nicholas Shepperd Jnr | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1774 | 1775 | George Greek | |
| 1775 | 1776 | Francis Tucker | |
| 1776 | 1777 | James Reed | |
| 1777 | 1778 | Charles Marshell | |
| 1778 | 1779 | Mounier Rock | |
| 1779 | 1780 | Stewkley Stephens | |
| 1780 | 1781 | John Moule | |
| 1781 | 1782 | Roger Chappell | A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'. |
| 1782 | 1783 | Edward Houndle | |
| 1783 | 1784 | John Law | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1784 | 1785 | William Cottle | |
| 1785 | 1785 | Samuel Chappell | Assumed that Samuel Chappell died in office, but not confirmed. M Rock succeeded as Mayor. |
| 1785 | 1786 | Mournier Rock | |
| 1786 | 1787 | John Tucker | |
| 1787 | 1788 | Nicholas Glass | |
| 1788 | 1789 | John Robert | |
| 1789 | 1790 | John May | |
| 1790 | 1791 | William Dean | |
| 1791 | 1792 | George Greek | |
| 1792 | 1793 | William Law | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1793 | 1793 | John Servante | John Servante left the town and was succeeded by George Greet (probably Greek). |
| 1793 | 1794 | George Greet | Probably George Greek, Mayor in 1791. |
| 1794 | 1795 | Henry Gardiner Tippetts | |
| 1795 | 1796 | Charles Marshall | |
| 1796 | 1797 | John Moule | |
| 1797 | 1798 | Richard Rowe Metherall | |
| 1798 | 1799 | William Slocombe | |
| 1799 | 1800 | John Gaydon | |
| 1800 | 1801 | Nicholas Sheppard | |
| 1801 | 1802 | Thomas Copner | |
| 1802 | 1803 | William Servante | |
| 1803 | 1804 | John Law | |
| 1804 | 1805 | Nicholas Glass | |
| 1805 | 1805 | Henry Bellow | Died in office, succeeded by John Moule. |
| 1805 | 1806 | John Moule | |
| 1806 | 1807 | John Pyke | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1807 | 1808 | John Roberts | |
| 1808 | 1809 | Philip Bremridge | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1809 | 1810 | Samuel Bremridge | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1810 | 1811 | John May | |
| 1811 | 1812 | William Law | |
| 1812 | 1813 | Richard Rowe Metherell | |
| 1813 | 1814 | William Slocombe | |
| 1814 | 1815 | William Chapple Pewle | |
| 1815 | 1816 | John May Jnr | |
| 1816 | 1817 | Edward Richard Roberts | |
| 1817 | 1818 | Samuel Bremridge | |
| 1818 | 1819 | William Law Jnr | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1819 | 1820 | John Law | |
| 1820 | 1821 | Thomas Copner | |
George IV :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1821 | 1822 | T. Pyke | |
| 1822 | 1823 | Charles Roberts | |
| 1823 | 1824 | John Cooke | |
| 1824 | 1825 | John Marshall | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1825 | 1826 | Samuel Bremridge | |
| 1826 | 1827 | Henry Nicholls, Clerke | |
| 1827 | 1828 | Nicholas Glass | |
| 1828 | 1829 | Robert Budd | |
| 1829 | 1830 | Richard Bremridge | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1830 | 1831 | Edward Richard Roberts | |
William IV :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1831 | 1832 | William Law | |
| 1832 | 1833 | Richard Grace | |
| 1833 | 1834 | John Law | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1834 | 1835 | John Marshell | |
| 1835 | 1836 | John Law | |
| 1836 | 1837 | Stephen Bencraft | A portrait of Stephen Bencraft is on display in Barnstaple's Guildhall. |
| 1837 | 1838 | James Marsh | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
Victoria :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1838 | 1839 | William Avery | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1839 | 1840 | John Knill Cotton | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1840 | 1841 | Samuel Linnington | |
| 1841 | 1842 | Gilbert Knill Cotton | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1842 | 1843 | John Sherrard Clay | |
| 1843 | 1844 | William Latham | |
| 1844 | 1845 | Robert Budd | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1845 | 1847 | William Avery | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1847 | 1848 | Henry Ivie Gribble | |
| 1848 | 1849 | John Sherrard Clay | |
| 1849 | 1850 | John Morris Fisher | |
| 1850 | 1851 | John William Tatham | |
| 1851 | 1853 | William Avery | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1853 | 1854 | Robert Budd | |
| 1854 | 1854 | William Dyer | "Mr. Dyer died seven weeks after his election - being the only Mayor of Barnstaple since 1785 who has died during his year of office. On the 27th of December, 1854, Mr. John Harris was elected to the Mayoralty." |
| 1854 | 1855 | John Harris | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1855 | 1856 | Cadwallader Edward Palmer | |
| 1856 | 1857 | Frederick Maunder | |
| 1857 | 1858 | John Bignell | |
| 1858 | 1859 | Richard Bremridge | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1859 | 1860 | John Roberts Chanter | |
| 1860 | 1861 | Cadwalladar Edward Palmer | |
| 1861 | 1862 | John Norrington | |
| 1862 | 1863 | Michael Cooke | |
| 1863 | 1864 | Thomas William Matthew Wilks Guppy | |
| 1864 | 1865 | Thomas Lambe Willshire | |
| 1865 | 1866 | John May Miller | |
| 1866 | 1867 | Richard Farleigh | |
| 1867 | 1868 | Henry Gribble | |
| 1868 | 1869 | Thomas William Matthew Wilks Guppy | |
| 1869 | 1871 | William Thorne | |
| 1871 | 1872 | Charles Crassweller | |
| 1872 | 1874 | Thomas May | |
| 1874 | 1875 | Joseph Harper | |
| 1875 | 1876 | William Avery | |
| 1876 | 1878 | Charles Sweet Willshire | |
| 1878 | 1881 | William Avery | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1881 | 1882 | Joseph Harper | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1882 | 1883 | Richard Ashton | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1883 | 1884 | Henry T. Besley | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1884 | 1885 | Lionel T. Bencraft | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1885 | 1887 | Alexander Lauder | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1887 | 1888 | Arthur F Seldon | |
| 1888 | 1889 | Richard Ashton | |
| 1889 | 1891 | Richard Lake | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1891 | 1892 | William Penhale | |
| 1892 | 1893 | James Brady | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1893 | 1894 | Colonel H Hibbert | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1894 | 1895 | Samuel Berry | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1895 | 1897 | William A. Roberts | |
| 1897 | 1899 | Charles E. R. Chanter | |
| 1899 | 1900 | Joseph G. Hamling | |
| 1900 | 1902 | George W. F. Brown | |
Edward VII :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1902 | 1906 | Henry Barrett | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1906 | 1907 | George T. Andrew | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1907 | 1908 | A. J. Reavell | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1908 | 1910 | Frederick Hunt | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
George V :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1910 | 1911 | John Thomas White | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1911 | 1912 | John R. Harper | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1912 | 1919 | Frank W. Jewell | Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911. |
| 1919 | 1920 | Charles Pearce | |
| 1920 | 1921 | Harry Ashton | |
| 1921 | 1922 | Walter Lewis Croot | |
| 1922 | 1923 | Frank L. Thomas | |
| 1923 | 1924 | Frederick Elliott | |
| 1924 | 1925 | Gerald B. Oerton | |
| 1925 | 1926 | J. C. Dixey | |
| 1926 | 1927 | Frederick Chanter | |
| 1927 | 1928 | John Own Jones | |
| 1928 | 1929 | George F. A. Whitlock | |
| 1929 | 1931 | John T. Dunn | |
| 1931 | 1932 | Bruce W. Oliver | |
| 1932 | 1935 | Charles F. Dart | |
| 1935 | 1936 | Arthur J. Manaton | |
Edward VIII :
| Start of term | End of term | Name |
| 1936 | 1938 | Wilfred Slatter |
George VI :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Notes |
| 1938 | 1945 | Charles F. Dart | Charles F. Dart holds the record for longest time (cumulatively) served as Mayor of Barnstaple. |
| 1945 | 1946 | Romeo Berry | |
| 1946 | 1947 | Maurice E. P. Killard-Leavey | |
| 1947 | 1949 | William Henry Wilkey | |
| 1949 | 1952 | F. James B. Sanders | |
Elizabeth II :
| Start of term | End of term | Name | Consort | Notes |
| 1952 | 1953 | John Bryon Cruse | | |
| 1953 | 1954 | Charles F. Dart | | |
| 1954 | 1956 | Albert W. Clarke | | |
| 1956 | 1957 | Robert E. King | | |
| 1957 | 1959 | Frank H. S. McDavid | | |
| 1959 | 1960 | Walter J. Thomas | | |
| 1960 | 1961 | R. Michael Huxtable | | |
| 1961 | 1963 | Stanley W. Woolaway | | |
| 1963 | 1965 | Arthur S. Williams | | |
| 1965 | 1967 | William Henry Wilkey | | |
| 1967 | 1968 | James H. Rayner | | |
| 1968 | 1970 | Reg. G. Chugg | | |
| 1970 | 1972 | Guy Casey | | |
| 1972 | 1973 | Keith N. Abraham | | |
| 1973 | 1974 | Douglas G. Potter | | |
| 1974 | 1976 | Charles Dibble | Mrs Dibble | |
| 1976 | 1977 | Elizabeth M. Fern | Mrs D Pengelly | Elizabeth M. Fern was Barnstaple's first female Mayor. |
| 1977 | 1978 | Leonard H. Ellway | Mrs Ellway | |
| 1978 | 1980 | William H. Luxton | Mrs Luxton | |
| 1980 | 1981 | Ian E. A. Scott | Margaret Scott | |
| 1981 | 1982 | Faye V. T. Webber | Mr Webber | |
| 1982 | 1984 | John Bosence | Cllr Mrd Bosence | |
| 1984 | 1986 | Jeffery T. Nott | Mrs Knott | |
| 1986 | 1987 | Alan J. Winton | Mrs Winton | |
| 1987 | 1989 | William Forward | Mrs Forward | |
| 1989 | 1991 | Leonard H. Ellway | Mrs Ellway | |
| 1991 | 1993 | Donald Hurrell | Gail Kemp | |
| 1993 | 1995 | Ian A. E. Scott | Margaret Scott | |
| 1995 | 1996 | Donald Hurrell | Sandra Millist | |
| 1996 | 1997 | Ronald Muir | Ruth Muir | |
| 1997 | 2000 | Bill Forward | Mrs Forward | |
| 2000 | 2002 | John Preston | Janet Preston | |
| 2002 | 2004 | Chris Haywood | Sue Haywood | |
| 2004 | 2006 | Arthur Windsor | Lesley Windsor | |
| 2006 | 2008 | Sue Haywood | Chris Haywood | |
| 2008 | 2010 | Jeremy Philips | Valerie Elkins | |
| 2010 | 2012 | Ian Roome | Linda Lewis | |
| 2012 | 2014 | Lesley Brown | | |
| 2014 | 2016 | Valerie Elkins | Roy Elkins | |
| 2016 | 2018 | Julie Hunt | David Hunt | |
| 2018 | 2019 | Ian Roome | Linda Lewis | |
| 2019 | 2022 | Alan Rennles | Sue Rennles | |
| 2022 | 2024 | Louisa York | Keith York | |
| 2024 | Present | Janet Coates | | |