Sir John More
Encyclopedia
Sir John More was a London lawyer and later judge, notable for being the father of Thomas More
, Henry VIII
's lord chancellor.
He entered Lincoln's Inn
in either 1470 or 75, was called to be a serjeant-at-law
in 1503, a justice of assize in 1513, a justice of the common pleas
in 1518, and finally to the king's bench
in 1520 where he remained until his death.
He married Agnes Graunger, the daughter of a London alderman
, on the 24th April 1474. They had four children who lived to maturity: Joanna (1475), Thomas
(1478), John (1480) and Elizabeth (1482). When Agnes died circa 1499 John went on to three further marriages, all to widows.
During his life he inherited the manor of Gobions in Hertfordshire from his mother and bought further land in the county. He was given permission to bear a coat of arms
, during Edward IV
's reign. He also helped to fund his son-in-law John Rastell
's dismal attempt to reach and settle the New World in 1517, which got only as far as Waterford
before the sailors abandoned Rastell and sold his cargo.
John More died on the 5th November 1530. His will included provision for a scholarship at Oxford University
as well as one at Cambridge
.
Thomas More
Sir Thomas More , also known by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist. He was an important councillor to Henry VIII of England and, for three years toward the end of his life, Lord Chancellor...
, Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
's lord chancellor.
He entered Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
in either 1470 or 75, was called to be a serjeant-at-law
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
in 1503, a justice of assize in 1513, a justice of the common pleas
Justice of the Common Pleas
Justice of the Common Pleas was a puisne judicial position within the Court of Common Pleas of England and Wales, under the Chief Justice. The Common Pleas was the primary court of common law within England and Wales, dealing with "common" pleas...
in 1518, and finally to the king's bench
Justice of the King's Bench
Justice of the King's Bench, or Justice of the Queen's Bench during the reign of a female monarch, was a puisne judicial position within the Court of King's Bench, under the Chief Justice. The King's Bench was a court of common law which modern academics argue was founded independently in 1234,...
in 1520 where he remained until his death.
He married Agnes Graunger, the daughter of a London alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
, on the 24th April 1474. They had four children who lived to maturity: Joanna (1475), Thomas
Thomas More
Sir Thomas More , also known by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist. He was an important councillor to Henry VIII of England and, for three years toward the end of his life, Lord Chancellor...
(1478), John (1480) and Elizabeth (1482). When Agnes died circa 1499 John went on to three further marriages, all to widows.
During his life he inherited the manor of Gobions in Hertfordshire from his mother and bought further land in the county. He was given permission to bear a coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, during Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
's reign. He also helped to fund his son-in-law John Rastell
John Rastell
John Rastell was an English printer and author.-Life:Born in London, he is vaguely reported by Anthony à Wood to have been "educated for a time in grammaticals and philosophicals" at Oxford. He became a member of Lincoln's Inn, and practised successfully as a barrister. He was also M.P...
's dismal attempt to reach and settle the New World in 1517, which got only as far as Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
before the sailors abandoned Rastell and sold his cargo.
John More died on the 5th November 1530. His will included provision for a scholarship at Oxford University
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
as well as one at Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.