John Crane (comptroller) facts for kids

John Crane was an important soldier and official who worked at Berwick-upon-Tweed during the time of Elizabeth I and James VI and I. He helped manage building projects and military supplies.

Crane started working at Berwick as a deputy manager around 1570. In 1591, he helped figure out what repairs were needed at Wark on Tweed Castle.

Working for the Crown

In January 1594, Crane wrote to Robert Cecil, who was a powerful government official. Crane wanted to become the main manager, called a "comptroller." He explained how much the job paid and argued that another person, Captain Bowyer, should not get the job because he already had another position.

Even though Crane asked for the comptroller job, he was made "Clerk of the Check and Musters" in February. This job involved keeping track of soldiers and their supplies. Robert Bowyer became the comptroller, and later, in 1596, William Selby took over the role.

Inspecting Castles and Forts

In April 1594, Crane worked with William Ackrigg to check on repairs at Wark Castle. He also noticed that Norham Castle was falling apart and that the defenses at Berwick were not strong enough. In June, he made a list of all the cannons at Berwick and in other forts along the border.

A New King and New Orders

In 1603, after Queen Elizabeth I died, James VI of Scotland became King of England. This big event is known as the Union of the Crowns, because it joined the two kingdoms under one ruler. King James wanted to unite England and Scotland. He decided to get rid of the soldiers stationed at Berwick. John Crane was put in charge of all the weapons and military equipment along the border during this time.

In January 1604, Crane was the acting Governor of Berwick. He wrote to Robert Cecil, explaining that even though the number of soldiers was reduced, the military base was not completely closed. He still had 20 soldiers and two older watchmen keeping guard in the watch tower.

Traveling with Prince Charles

In August 1604, Crane went on a journey with Prince Charles, who would later become king. The Prince was traveling from Scotland to London with his guardian, Alexander Seton.

Crane wrote a letter from Worksop Manor to the Mayor of Leicester. He asked the Mayor to prepare a place for them to stay with twelve beds and seven large barrels of beer. The Mayor arranged for the royal group to stay at the house of William Skipwith. The group included the treasurer of Berwick, William Bowes, and the master of horse, Richard Graham.

They continued their journey to Dingley, the home of Thomas Griffin. Then they went to Easton Neston, where George Fermor lived. Here, King James VI and Anne of Denmark joined them.

Crane was paid £100 for helping with Prince Charles's journey. This payment was for his role as a "clerk of the comptrollments of his Highness' house," meaning he managed the expenses for the Prince's household.

Later Life

Eventually, Crane's job at Berwick was ended. He started receiving a regular payment, called a pension, from the government. He was in debt and asked Robert Cecil if he could give his pension to someone else to help pay off what he owed.

John Crane had sons and daughters who were baptized in Berwick between 1581 and 1592.

Another John Crane

It's important not to confuse this John Crane with another person named John Crane (1576-1660) who lived at the same time. This other John Crane worked for King James and King Charles I as a clerk in the royal kitchen. He was given a special family symbol, called a coat of arms, in 1606. Later, in 1635, he became the Surveyor General of Navy Victuals, which meant he was in charge of supplying food for the navy.

This other John Crane married Mary Tresham (who died in 1624). She was the daughter of Thomas Tresham of Lyveden. Another person named John Tresham was his colleague in the royal kitchen. This John Crane put up monuments for his wife and father at All Saints Church, Loughton.