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John Cokayne (died 1429) facts for kids

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Sir John Cokayne (died 1429) was an important English judge and administrator who lived a long time ago. He came from Derbyshire in England. He was also known as Cockayne.

Early Life and Family

John Cokayne was born around 1360. His father, also named John Cokayne, was a chief steward. This meant he was a main manager for a large area of land called the Duchy of Lancaster. John Cokayne had an older brother named Edmund. Since Edmund would inherit the family's land, John decided to study law instead.

A Career in Law and Government

John Cokayne became very successful in his legal career.

Working for London

By 1394, he became the Recorder of London. This was a high-ranking legal job where he advised the city and helped with legal matters. He held this position until 1398. In 1396, he also became a serjeant-at-law, which was a special type of senior lawyer.

Serving the Duchy

From 1398 to 1400, John Cokayne followed in his father's footsteps. He became the Chief Steward for the northern part of the Duchy of Lancaster. This was a big job given to him by John of Gaunt, a very powerful royal duke. John of Gaunt even chose Cokayne to help carry out his will after he died.

Becoming a Judge

In 1400, John Cokayne was made a Chief Baron of the Exchequer. This meant he was a top judge in the court that handled government money and taxes. Later, in 1405, he also became a Justice of the Common Pleas. This court dealt with legal disputes between ordinary people. He left his Exchequer job in 1413.

A Case About Expenses

In 1425, he was involved in an interesting legal case. He sat with another important judge, Sir William Babington. The case was about who should pay for the expenses of the two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the town of Bedford. The judges decided that all the people living in the town should help pay these expenses, not just those who could vote.

His Final Years

John Cokayne made his will on 10 February 1428. He asked to be buried next to his wife in the church at Bury Hatley. He passed away on 22 May 1429. Sadly, his monument in the church has been destroyed over time.

His Land and Home

As John Cokayne earned money from his important legal jobs, he bought land in the countryside. He first bought land in Bearwardcote in Derbyshire. He also gained rights to use land in St Ippolyts and Radwell in Hertfordshire for his lifetime. His main home became the manor of Bury Hatley in Bedfordshire. He bought this in 1417 for a large sum of money. This place was later renamed Cockayne Hatley after his family.

His Family Life

In the early 1380s, John Cokayne married Ida. She came from a very important family. Ida passed away in 1426. They had six children who were still alive when John Cokayne died:

  • Reginald: He was John's heir and had children.
  • Henry
  • John
  • Thomas: He became a cleric (a religious leader).
  • Elizabeth: She married two different knights and had several children.
  • Margaret: She also married and had children.
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