John Sutton, 3rd Baron Dudley facts for kids

John Sutton, 3rd Baron Dudley (born around 1494 – died 1553) was an English nobleman. He was also known as Lord Quondam. This nickname meant "Lord Has-been" or "Lord Formerly". It was given to him because he lost his family's lands and castle.

Early Life of John Sutton

John Sutton was born in 1494 at Dudley Castle in Worcestershire. He was the oldest son of Sir Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley and his wife, Cicely Willoughby. Cicely's grandmother was Katherine Neville, Duchess of Norfolk.

John had several younger brothers: Thomas, William, Arthur, Geoffery, and George. He also had sisters. One sister, Eleanor, married Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester. Another sister, Jane, was the mother of Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre.

John Sutton's Military Career

John Sutton was a soldier. In 1513, he joined Henry VIII in France. He fought in the War of the Holy League. This war was fought with Spain against France. John Sutton was made a knight on October 13, 1513.

Becoming Baron Dudley

John Sutton became the 3rd Baron Dudley in 1532, after his father died. By this time, he was already deeply in debt. He and his father had been borrowing money since 1512.

Soon after becoming Baron, John Sutton began selling off his family's lands. He sold half of Powis Castle. His father had already sold most of their lands in Malpas in 1521. He also sold Northfield in 1531. John Sutton sold the rest of the Malpas lands in 1537. The Sutton family had owned Malpas since about 1270. In 1533, he sold the manor of Oxley in Staffordshire.

The Nickname "Lord Quondam"

In 1532, John Sutton borrowed £2000 from his cousin, John Dudley. His cousin was the Earl of Warwick and later became the Duke of Northumberland. John Sutton was supposed to pay back £400 each year.

He wrote to Thomas Cromwell, who was a powerful advisor to the King. Sutton asked Cromwell to help him pay off his debt. This plan did not work. In 1535, John Sutton sold Dudley Castle and its lands to his cousin, John Dudley.

Because he lost his family's castle and lands, John Sutton became known as "Lord Quondam." This nickname meant "Lord Has-been" or "Lord Formerly." It showed that he had lost his family's important position.

Some historians believe that John Dudley and Thomas Cromwell worked together. They might have planned to get Lord Dudley's lands. Cromwell had been friends with John Sutton's wife, Lady Cecily, for a long time.

Family Struggles and Loss

John Sutton's wife, Lady Cecily, wrote a letter in 1538. She explained how losing their income affected her family. She said they were "utterly undone" without more help.

Lady Cecily wrote that she had very little money. She had only about twenty pounds a year. This money was barely enough to support herself, one daughter, and two servants. She also mentioned that the prioress of Nuneaton Priory helped her family. The prioress gave them food and drink for free. She also welcomed John and Cecily's children when they visited.

After buying Dudley Castle, John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, lived there. He added new and grand buildings to the old fortress.

John Sutton was never called to attend Parliament. This was unusual for a Baron.

John Sutton's Family Life

By 1501, John Sutton was engaged to Lady Cecily Grey. She was born around 1497. Her mother was Cecily Bonville, who was a Baroness in her own right. Lady Cecily's grandmother was Elizabeth Woodville, a former Queen of England.

John Sutton and Lady Cecily married. They had at least nine children. Some of their children were involved in the big changes of the English Reformation. This was a time of religious and political conflict in England.

Their children included:

• Edward Sutton, 4th Baron Dudley (born around 1515 – died 1586). He married Catherine Brydges. She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary I.
• Hon. Sir Henry Sutton Dudley (1517–1568). He was a diplomat. He was also involved in plots against Queen Mary.
• Hon. George Sutton. He was a soldier at Calais. He later plotted against Queen Elizabeth I.
• Hon. Maud Sutton.
• Hon. Margaret Sutton.
• Hon. Thomas Sutton (1539–1574).
• Hon. Dorothy Sutton.
• Hon. Elizabeth Sutton.
• Hon. Robert Sutton.

Later Life and Burial

After losing Dudley Castle in 1537, John Sutton moved. He kept his title as Baron Dudley. He moved to his home on Tothill Street in Westminster, London. His father had been renting this house since 1522.

John Sutton died in Middlesex in 1553. He was buried on September 18, 1553, at St Margaret's, Westminster. His wife, Cecily, Baroness Dudley, was also buried there in 1554.

Accounts of his funeral describe it as a grand event. There were priests, clerks singing in Latin, and a procession. His crest, a blue lion's head on a gold crown, was carried. His helmet, shield, and sword were also part of the ceremony.

John Sutton's cousin, John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was executed on August 22, 1553. He was executed for trying to put Lady Jane Grey on the English throne. After Northumberland's execution, Dudley Castle was taken by the Crown. In 1555, Queen Mary gave Dudley Castle back to John Sutton's oldest son, Edward Sutton, 4th Baron Dudley.