John Spring of Lavenham facts for kids

Sir John Spring (died 12 August 1547) was an important English merchant and politician. He lived in places like Lavenham, Buxhall, Hitcham, and Cockfield, Suffolk.

Sir John Spring's Life and Family

John Spring was the son of Thomas Spring of Lavenham, a wealthy cloth merchant. His mother was Anne King. John took over his father's successful cloth trading business. He also inherited a lot of land and property.

His family's land grew even more after the dissolution of the monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed down many religious houses and took their lands. During the time of King Edward VI, John Spring was known as the lord of the manor of Leffey. He was also made a knight when Edward VI became king.

Sir John Spring helped the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk during a protest in 1525. This protest was called the Lavenham revolt. People were upset about a new tax. Sir John helped stop the rebels by removing the bells from the Church of St Peter and St Paul. This meant the rebels could not ring the bells to call everyone together.

Sir John Spring wrote his last will on June 8, 1544. He left gifts to his wife, Dorothy, and his son, William. He also mentioned his father-in-law, Sir William Waldegrave. Sir John Spring was buried in Hitcham, Suffolk.

Marriage and Children

Sir John Spring married Dorothy Waldegrave. She was the daughter of Sir William Waldegrave. Together, they had one son and two daughters.

• Sir William Spring (died 1599) was their son. He married Anne Kitson first. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson. Later, William married Susan Jermyn.
• Frances Spring married Edmund Wright. They had five or six daughters.
• Bridget Spring married Thomas Fleetwood first. They had many children, including seven sons and seven daughters. Later, she married Sir Robert Wingfield.

Sir John Spring's wife, Dorothy, died in 1564.