norton was born in london to thomas norton, a merchant, and elizabeth merry norton. he went to the university of cambridge. in 1556, he studied law. he was a member of parliament. he was a calvinist, and tortured catholics. the english bishops grew to dislike him. he was charged with treason and sent to the tower of london. he was soon released, but his health had grown poor. in march 1584, he died in his bedfordshire home.