John Lexington facts for kids
Sir John Lexington (died 1257) was an important official in England during the 1200s. He was a baron, which means he was a powerful landowner. He worked for the king, Henry III. Some people think he was like a "Lord Chancellor," a very high position. Others believe he just held the king's special seals when the main chancellor was away. He held this important role twice: from 1247 to 1248, and again from 1249 to 1250.
Life
John Lexington came from a well-known family. Their name came from a village called Lexington, which is now Laxton in Nottinghamshire. His father, Richard, was a royal judge. His mother, Mathilda de Cauz, owned land that included Sherwood Forest.
John had several brothers who also held important positions. His youngest brother, Robert, was a judge. Another brother, Henry, became a bishop. Stephen, a fourth brother, was a monk and leader of a large monastery.
King Henry III sent John Lexington to a meeting in 1241. He was also present at a naval battle where ships from Pisa and Sicily fought against ships from Genoa. During this battle, he helped save his brother Stephen.
When he returned, John joined a military trip against Dafydd ap Llywelyn in Wales. He helped bring Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fawr, a Welsh prince, to London as a hostage. In 1242, he joined a group that worked to fix problems with a peace agreement with France. He also served as the king's seneschal, a type of royal manager, in 1247.
After 1248, John Lexington worked as a judge. In 1250, he inherited land and a title from his brother Robert. By 1255, he was a chief justice for forests north of the Trent River. He also managed important castles like Bamburgh, Pickering, and Scarborough.
Matthew Paris, a famous historian, described John Lexington as a wise and learned man. He was also known as a brave and skilled knight. His family symbol was a blue cross on a silver shield.
John married a woman named Margaret de Merlay. She was the daughter of Richard d'Umfraville. John and Margaret did not have any children.
John Lexington died in January 1257. His land and titles went to his brother Henry, the bishop. When Henry died in 1258, the estate passed to the children of John's two sisters, Alice and Cecilia. This happened because none of John's brothers had children to inherit their titles.
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