THOMAS ALDRICH was son of John Aldrich alderman of Norwich twice mayor of that city and its representative in several parliaments. He was matriculated of Corpus Christi college in March 1557-8, but subsequently migrated to Trinity college. He proceeded B.A. 1561-2, was soon afterwards elected a fellow of Trinity college, commenced M.A. 1565, and was one of the proctors of the university for the year commencing October 1569. On 3 Feb. 1569-70 he was elected master of Corpus Christi college on the recommendation of archbishop Parker, who stated that he was known to him to be an honest young man learned in all the tongues and also in french and italian. He was collated to the archdeaconry of Sudbury on the 2nd of March following. His name is subscribed to a letter dated 11 Aug. 1570 on behalf of Thomas Cartwright the noted puritan. On 13 November in the same year he was installed a canon of Westminster, and about the same time became rector of Hadleigh in Suffolk, a benefice in the gift of the primate who constituted him one of his chaplains. In 1573 he was charged with having violated the college statutes by omitting to take the degree of B.D. within three years after his admission to the mastership; with neglecting the discipline of the college; with having connived at a disadvantageous lease of an estate at Wilbraham belonging to the society; and with having treated the fellows with contempt and insolence whilst he made himself too much acquainted with the gentlemen of the country.