John More (judge) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John More
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Sir John More, aged 76, from "Study for a portrait of Thomas More's family", c. 1527, by Hans Holbein the Younger
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| Born | c. 1451 |
| Died | November 1530 |
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| Children | 6, including Sir Thomas More |
Sir John More (around 1451 – 1530) was an important English lawyer and judge. He is best known as the father of Sir Thomas More, who became a very powerful official called the Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII.
Contents
Sir John's Family Background
Sir John More's father was William More, a baker in London. His mother was Joanna Joye. Her family also had connections to important jobs in London, like brewing and working as a clerk in the Chancery, which was a royal office.
A Career in Law
Sir John More had a long and successful career in law. He joined Lincoln's Inn, a famous place for training lawyers, in the 1470s.
Becoming a Judge
He slowly moved up the ranks in the legal world:
- In 1503, he became a Serjeant-at-law. This was a special and respected rank for senior lawyers.
- By 1513, he was a Justice of Assize. This meant he traveled around the country to hear legal cases.
- In 1518, he became a Justice of the Common Pleas. This was a judge in one of England's main courts.
- Finally, in 1520, he joined the King's Bench. This was the highest court in England at the time, and he stayed there until he died.
Land and Legacy
Sir John More owned land in a place called Gobions in North Mymms, Hertfordshire. He also had properties in London. He even bought more land in Hertfordshire. He was given a special coat of arms during the time of King Edward IV.
He also helped his son-in-law, John Rastell, with an interesting project. In 1517, Rastell tried to sail to the New World (America). However, the journey only got as far as Waterford in Ireland before the sailors gave up.
Sir John More wrote his will in 1527. He asked to be buried in a church in London called St Lawrence Jewry. His will also included prayers for his family and for King Edward IV.
Marriages and Children
Sir John More was married four times and had six children with his first wife, Agnes Graunger.
First Marriage
On April 24, 1474, Sir John married Agnes Graunger (who died around 1499). Agnes was the daughter of a London businessman and local official named Thomas Graunger. They had three sons and three daughters:
- Joanna More, born in 1475. She married a lawyer named Richard Staverton.
- Sir Thomas More, born in 1478. He became a very famous lawyer, writer, and statesman.
- Agatha More, born in 1479, but sadly died young.
- John More, born in 1480, also died young.
- Edward More, born in 1481, who also died young.
- Elizabeth More, born in 1482. She married a printer named John Rastell.
Later Marriages
After Agnes died, Sir John More married three more times:
- His second wife was Joan (who died in 1505). She was the widow of a merchant named John Marshall.
- His third wife was also named Joan (who died in 1520). She was the widow of another London merchant, Thomas Bowes.
- His fourth wife was Alice More. She was the sister of Sir Christopher More and had been married before. Alice outlived Sir John and passed away in 1545.
