John Cock (MP) facts for kids

John Cock (born by 1506 – died 6 September 1557) was an important English politician. He lived in London and Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

John was the son of William Cock, who also lived in Broxbourne. He studied law at a famous place called the Inner Temple. This was like a special school for lawyers back then.

John Cock's Career in Government

John Cock had many important jobs during his life. He worked for the government and the royal family.

Working for the Duchy of Cornwall

From 1532 until he died, John was the attorney-general for the Duchy of Cornwall. A "Duchy" is a special area of land that belongs to the royal family. An "attorney-general" is like a chief lawyer who gives legal advice and represents the Duchy in legal matters.

Keeping the Peace

Starting in 1540, John became a Justice of the Peace for Hertfordshire. He likely held this job until he died. A Justice of the Peace was a local official who helped keep law and order. They would handle minor crimes and make sure rules were followed in their area.

Helping the Queen

In 1543, John Cock became a lawyer for Queen Catherine Parr. She was one of King Henry VIII's wives. This shows he was trusted by important people in the royal court.

High Sheriff Duties

John also served as High Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire from 1548 to 1549. A High Sheriff was a very important local official. They were responsible for enforcing laws, managing elections, and keeping peace in their county.

Master of Requests

From 1550 to 1553, John was a Master of Requests. This job involved handling petitions and requests from people who wanted to speak to the King or Queen. It was a way for ordinary people to bring their problems to the attention of the monarch.

Member of the Privy Council

In March 1552, John Cock became a Privy Councillor. The Privy Council was a group of trusted advisors to the King or Queen. They helped the monarch make important decisions about the country.

Serving in Parliament

John Cock was elected as a Member (MP) several times. An MP is someone chosen by the people to represent them in the Parliament of England. Parliament was where laws were made and important discussions about the country took place.

He represented Hertfordshire in Parliament in 1545, 1547, March 1533, April 1554, November 1554, and 1555. He also represented Calne in 1547.

Family Life

John Cock was married to Anne, who was the daughter of Thomas Goodere. Together, they had three sons and two daughters. After John passed away, his son Henry took over his family's affairs.