John Harington (treasurer)
Encyclopedia
John Harington (fl.
1550) was an English official working for Henry VIII, and husband to one of his reputed illegitimate children, Ethelreda Malte
.
, and filled the post of treasurer to the king's camps and buildings. While holding that office Harington employed John Bradford
. Accounts differ on their professional relationship: it is said by Bradford's biographers that he compelled Harington about 1549 to make a restitution to the crown of a sum of money which Harington had misappropriated. John Strype
, however, represents that Bradford was himself guilty of misappropriating public moneys, which Harington made good to shield his clerk from punishment.
Harington seems to have been a confidential servant of Henry VIII, and to have risen by marrying a natural daughter of the king, Etheldreda Malte, daughter of Joanna Dyngley or Dobson, who was brought up by the king's tailor, John Malte, as a daughter of his own. Henry granted her the monastic forfeitures of Kelston
, Batheaston
, and Katharine in Somerset, and on his marriage in 1546 Harington settled at Kelston, near Bath, on his wife's estate. Etheldreda later died, leaving behind her husband, and daughter Hester, whom died in 1568, her lands went to her husband.
Harington entered the service of Princess Elizabeth
. He was a cultivated man and a poet, who in his visits to Elizabeth at Hatfield
turned his talents to the praises of her six gentlewomen, but soon singled out among them Isabella Markham
, daughter of Sir John Markham of Gotham. He married her early in 1559. Five years before their marriage he was imprisoned in the Tower at the same time as the Princess Elizabeth; his first wife and Isabella, both being her Ladies-in-Waiting, had accompanied the princess. In 1561 their son John was born, and Elizabeth, who had now ascended the throne, repaid their loyalty by acting as his godmother. He later became known as a writer at her court, where he was often in trouble.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1550) was an English official working for Henry VIII, and husband to one of his reputed illegitimate children, Ethelreda Malte
Ethelreda Malte
Ethelreda Malte, also sometimes named as Audrey Malte , was a lady at the court of Henry VIII of England. She married John Harington and gave birth to a daughter, which they named Hester. She had previously been engaged. Ethelreda owned properties previously belonging to Shaftsbury...
.
Life
Harrington lived at StepneyStepney
Stepney is a district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in London's East End that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road...
, and filled the post of treasurer to the king's camps and buildings. While holding that office Harington employed John Bradford
John Bradford
John Bradford was a prebendary of St. Paul's. He was an English Reformer and martyr best remembered for his utterance "'There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford". These words were uttered by Bradford while imprisoned in the Tower of London when he saw a criminal on his way to execution;...
. Accounts differ on their professional relationship: it is said by Bradford's biographers that he compelled Harington about 1549 to make a restitution to the crown of a sum of money which Harington had misappropriated. John Strype
John Strype
John Strype was an English historian and biographer. He was a cousin of Robert Knox, a famous sailor.Born in Houndsditch, London, he was the son of John Strype, or van Stryp, a member of a Huguenot family whom, in order to escape religious persecution within Brabant, had settled in East London...
, however, represents that Bradford was himself guilty of misappropriating public moneys, which Harington made good to shield his clerk from punishment.
Harington seems to have been a confidential servant of Henry VIII, and to have risen by marrying a natural daughter of the king, Etheldreda Malte, daughter of Joanna Dyngley or Dobson, who was brought up by the king's tailor, John Malte, as a daughter of his own. Henry granted her the monastic forfeitures of Kelston
Kelston
Kelston is a small village and civil parish in Somerset, north west of Bath, and east of Bristol, on the A431 road. It is situated just north of the River Avon, close to the Kelston and Saltford locks...
, Batheaston
Batheaston
Batheaston is a village and civil parish east of Bath, England , on the north bank of the River Avon. The parish has a population of 2,625...
, and Katharine in Somerset, and on his marriage in 1546 Harington settled at Kelston, near Bath, on his wife's estate. Etheldreda later died, leaving behind her husband, and daughter Hester, whom died in 1568, her lands went to her husband.
Harington entered the service of Princess Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. He was a cultivated man and a poet, who in his visits to Elizabeth at Hatfield
Hatfield House
Hatfield House is a country house set in a large park, the Great Park, on the eastern side of the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. The present Jacobean house was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I and has been the home of the Cecil...
turned his talents to the praises of her six gentlewomen, but soon singled out among them Isabella Markham
Isabella Markham
Isabella Markham, Lady Harington , was an English courtier, a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber of Queen Elizabeth I of England and a personal favourite of the queen. Isabella Markham was muse to the court official and poet John Harington, who wrote sonnets and poems addressed to her, before and...
, daughter of Sir John Markham of Gotham. He married her early in 1559. Five years before their marriage he was imprisoned in the Tower at the same time as the Princess Elizabeth; his first wife and Isabella, both being her Ladies-in-Waiting, had accompanied the princess. In 1561 their son John was born, and Elizabeth, who had now ascended the throne, repaid their loyalty by acting as his godmother. He later became known as a writer at her court, where he was often in trouble.