John Abbotsley facts for kids

John Abbotsley (sometimes spelled Albotysle) lived a long time ago, from about 1395 to 1460 or 1465. He was an important person in his town, Huntingdon, in the 1400s. He served as a Member of Parliament, which means he was chosen to represent his town in the country's government.

What Was a Member of Parliament?

A Member of Parliament (often called an MP) is like a representative today. They are chosen by people in their area to speak for them in the government. John Abbotsley was an MP for Huntingdon borough three times. He served in 1420, then from 1427 to 1428, and again in 1442. This shows he was trusted by the people of Huntingdon.

John Abbotsley's Other Jobs

Besides being an MP, John Abbotsley had several other important jobs. These roles helped him serve the king and his community.

Keeping the Peace

In May 1434, John Abbotsley became a Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace was a local official who helped keep law and order. They made sure people followed the rules and helped solve local problems. He was also asked to make sure people in his community promised to keep the king's peace. This meant they agreed to follow the laws and not cause trouble.

Investigating Deaths

In 1450, John Abbotsley also worked as a coroner. A coroner is someone who investigates deaths that are sudden or unusual. Their job is to find out how and why someone died. He held this job at the same time he was an elector.

Choosing Representatives

John Abbotsley was also an elector for Huntingdon borough. He helped choose who would represent the town in government. He did this in 1447, 1449, and 1450. Being an elector was an important role in the local political system.

Helping with Property

Before holding these official jobs, John Abbotsley helped people with their property. He assisted with the transfer of land and buildings between wealthy local families. This suggests he had a good understanding of legal matters. People believe he might have been a lawyer, even if he only had a small practice.

A Question About His Death

It is not completely clear if John Abbotsley died in 1460 or 1465. Around the later date, a man named William Moyne started a lawsuit. He was suing John Abbotsley (or his family) over a property in Huntingdon called The Crown. William Moyne claimed he had paid money for part of the property. But he said John Abbotsley would not let him have access to it. This legal problem might have continued until John Abbotsley's son took over.