John Blennerhassett (landowner) facts for kids
John Blennerhassett (who was also sometimes called Hasset) lived from about 1521 to 1573. He was an important English landowner and a politician. His family came from Cumbria, but they became very wealthy landowners in Suffolk and Norfolk. John Blennerhassett owned large areas of land in places like Depwade and Long Stratton.
John Blennerhassett's cousins also became very important landowners in Ireland.
Early Life and Family
John Blennerhassett was the son of Sir Thomas Blennerhassett and Margaret Braham. His family had a long history of working for powerful people, especially the Duke of Norfolk. John continued this family tradition throughout his life.
A Career in Politics
John Blennerhassett was elected to be a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. An MP is a person chosen by voters to represent them in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament.
- In 1558, he was an MP for Horsham.
- In 1563 and again in 1571, he was an MP for Norwich.
Besides being an MP, John Blennerhassett was also a member of the Norwich Corporation. This was like the local government for the city of Norwich. In 1562, he gave two silver cups to the Corporation as a gift.
Working for the Duke
John Blennerhassett continued his family's tradition of serving the Duke of Norfolk. He worked as the Duke's legal advisor and managed the Duke's household money.
The Duke of Norfolk faced serious trouble with the law and was executed in 1572. However, John Blennerhassett was not involved in these problems. He died about a year later, in 1573.
Family Life
John Blennerhassett was married twice.
- His first wife was Elizabeth Cornwallis.
- His second wife was Mary Echyngham. She was the younger daughter of Sir Edward Echyngham.
Through his two marriages, John Blennerhassett had a large family: six sons and five daughters.
Famous Cousins
John Blennerhassett had several notable cousins:
- His cousin, Sir Edward Blennerhassett, had a son also named Sir John Blennerhassett. This younger John became a very important judge in Ireland, known as the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
- Sir Edward's other sons, Thomas and Edward, played a part in the Plantation of Ulster. This was a time when many English and Scottish settlers moved to Ulster in Ireland.
- Another cousin, Robert Blennerhassett, started a well-known branch of the Blennerhassett family in Ballyseedy, County Kerry, Ireland.
