John Griffith (of Plas Mawr) facts for kids
John Griffith (died 1609) was a Welsh politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a main part of the government, from 1571 until he passed away in 1609.
Who Was John Griffith?
John Griffith was an important person in Welsh politics during the late 1500s and early 1600s. He served his country in different roles. He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for England and Wales. He also held important local positions as a sheriff.
His Early Life and Education
John Griffith was the son of William Griffith. His family lived at a place called Plas Mawr in Caernarfon, Wales.
John went to All Souls College, Oxford, a famous university, in 1548. He studied law there. He earned his first law degree in 1551 and a higher law degree (a doctorate) in 1563.
While at Oxford, he became a special teacher of law. From 1559 to 1566, he was the Regius Professor of Civil Law. This was a very important job where he taught about civil law, which deals with everyday legal matters. He was also in charge of a college called New Inn Hall from 1561 to 1564.
His Political Career
John Griffith started his political journey in 1571. He was elected to Parliament to represent Caernarfon. He was re-elected in 1572, showing that people trusted him.
Besides being a Member of Parliament, he also served as a Sheriff. A sheriff was a very important local official. They were in charge of keeping the peace and making sure laws were followed in their area. John Griffith was the Sheriff of Caernarvonshire in 1582. He was also the Sheriff of Anglesey twice, in 1587 and again in 1593.
In 1604, he was elected to Parliament for Caernarfon once more. He continued to serve as a Member of Parliament until he died in 1609.
His Family Life
John Griffith married a woman named Margaret. She was the daughter of Rhys Thomas. Margaret had been married before. John and Margaret had a large family together. They had four sons, including Nicholas and William Griffith, and three daughters.
