John Lyttelton (MP) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Lyttelton
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St John the Baptist Church, Hagley, monument to Meriel Bromley, the wife of Sir John Lyttelton, with a remarkable anti-Catholic inscription
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| Born | 1561 |
| Died | 1601 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Politician and Knight |
| Title | Sir |
| Spouse(s) | Meriel Bromley |
| Children | 11, including Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 1st Baronet |
| Parent(s) | Sir Gilbert Lyttelton Elizabeth Coningsby |
John Lyttelton (born 1561, died 1601) was an English politician. He was a member of the important Lyttelton family. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Worcestershire during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Early Life and Family
John was the oldest son of Sir Gilbert Lyttelton. He went to Magdalen College, Oxford in 1576. Later, he studied law at the Inner Temple in London.
He married Meriel Bromley. Her father was Sir Thomas Bromley, who was the Lord Chancellor of England. John and Meriel had a large family. They had three sons and eight daughters.
His Political Career
John Lyttelton was elected to Parliament several times. He became a knight of the shire for Worcestershire. This meant he represented the county in Parliament. He served in this role in 1584, 1586, and 1597.
He also worked as a Justice of the Peace (JP) for Worcestershire. He started this role around 1583. By 1601, he was also the custos rotulorum for the county. This was a very important position. It meant he was the chief keeper of the county's records.
A Difficult Time
In 1601, John Lyttelton was involved in an event with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. Because of this, he was put on trial. He passed away in the Queen's Bench prison in July 1601. He had been given a delay from execution.
After his death, his lands were taken by the Crown. These lands were in places like Frankley, Halesowen, Hagley, and Upper Arley. However, when King James I became king, the lands were given back to his wife, Meriel.
Meriel lived for 28 years after John. She worked hard to clear their family's debts. She also made sure their children were raised as Anglicans.
Sir John was buried at St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
His Children
John and Meriel Lyttelton had many children. Some of their notable children included:
- Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 1st Baronet: He became the first Baronet of the Lyttelton family.
- Humphrey Littleton: He was involved in the Gunpowder Plot.
- Bridget Lyttelton: She married Robert Tracy, 2nd Viscount Tracy.
