John Harington (treasurer) facts for kids

John Harington (around 1517–1582) was an important English official. He worked for Henry VIII, who was the King of England.

John Harington's Life

John Harington lived in a place called Stepney. He held many different jobs for the king. It's important not to confuse him with another person named Sir John Harington of Exton.

Family and First Marriage

John Harington married a woman named Ethelreda Malte. She was the daughter of John Malte, who was the king's tailor. Some people at the time believed Ethelreda might have also been a daughter of King Henry VIII.

In 1546, Ethelreda's father, John Malte, bought a large estate called Kelston in Somerset. He made sure that Ethelreda would inherit most of his property. Ethelreda passed away around 1556. She left behind her husband, John, and their daughter, Hester.

Serving Princess Elizabeth

After Ethelreda died, John Harington began working for Princess Elizabeth. He was a very smart and creative person who also wrote poems. When he visited Princess Elizabeth at Hatfield House, he often wrote poems praising her ladies-in-waiting.

He soon became especially fond of Isabella Markham. She was the daughter of Sir John Markham. John Harington married Isabella early in 1559. A few years before their marriage, he was held in the Tower of London at the same time as Princess Elizabeth. Both his first wife and Isabella were ladies-in-waiting to the princess and were with her.

In 1561, John and Isabella had a son, also named John. Queen Elizabeth, who was now on the throne, showed her appreciation for their loyalty by becoming his godmother. This son later became a well-known writer at her court. Queen Elizabeth I also gave John Harington the Stoughton Grange Estate in Leicestershire.