John Talbot of Grafton facts for kids
Sir John Talbot (1545 – 28 January 1611) was an important English Catholic during the reigns of Elizabeth I of England and James I of England. He lived at Grafton Manor in Worcestershire. At this time, Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were called recusants.
Sir John was connected by marriage to one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators. He also knew or was related to other important Catholic figures. Because of his faith and connections, the English government often suspected him.
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Sir John Talbot's Life
Sir John Talbot came from a powerful family that owned a lot of land. His grandfather, also named John Talbot, was the lord of the manor of Albrighton. The family lived at Pepperhill in Shropshire and Grafton Manor.
John Talbot joined Lincoln's Inn, a place where lawyers are trained, in 1555. In 1572, he became a member of Parliament for Droitwich.
Facing Suspicion
Being a Catholic in England during this time was very difficult. In July 1580, a Catholic priest named Robert Johnson was recognized by an informer while with Mr. and Mrs. Talbot in Smithfield, London. Robert Johnson was sometimes called "Mr. Talbot's priest."
After this, Sir John Talbot was held by the Dean of Westminster. Later, he was moved to his brother-in-law's house in Aldersgate Street. In 1581, because of the bubonic plague in London, he was moved to a house outside the city.
In 1583, another priest, Hugh Hall, said he had stayed with Talbot. Sir John was then restricted to living at a house in Mitcham, Surrey.
Imprisonment and Fines
In 1588, Sir John Talbot was sent to Wisbech Castle. This was because he had attended a Catholic Mass, which was against the law at the time. He was released on bail for a short time due to his and his wife's poor health. After this, he was likely restricted to his house in Clerkenwell, London.
He was later ordered to stay at a house in Broughton, Oxfordshire. He was allowed out on bail several times for short periods. In 1593, he was held in Ely gaol. He was later released to help settle a family disagreement.
Sir John was also allowed to visit "the Bathes," probably Bath, for his health. Between 1593 and 1594, he paid £120 in fines for being a recusant. He was later imprisoned in Banbury Castle. He was released on bail several times in 1597.
In 1601, he was living in Worcestershire. People tried to get him to use his influence to help Sir Thomas Leighton become a Member of Parliament. By 1604, he was paying £20 a month in fines for his Catholic faith. However, he received a pardon later that year.
Gunpowder Plot Connection
In 1605, Sir John Talbot was suspected of being involved in the Gunpowder Plot. One of the plotters, Robert Wintour, had married Sir John's daughter, Gertrude. However, Robert Wintour stated that he had not told his father-in-law about the plot. He knew Sir John would not join.
In fact, when the plotters came to his manor at Pepperhill, Sir John turned them away. Despite this, he was arrested and questioned in December 1605. The value of his recusancy fines was later given to Lord Hay.
Sir John Talbot likely passed away in 1611 and was buried at Albrighton.
Sir John Talbot's Family
Sir John Talbot was the only son of Sir John Talbot of Grafton Manor and Frances Giffard. His grandfather was also named Sir John Talbot.
With his wife, Katherine Petre, Sir John had three sons and three daughters. Katherine was the daughter of Sir William Petre. Their children included:
- Anne Talbot, who married Thomas Hanmer.
- George Talbot, 9th Earl of Shrewsbury, who became a Catholic priest.
- Gertrude Talbot, who married Robert Wintour, one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators.
- John Talbot of Longford, Market Drayton, Shropshire. He had one son:
- John Talbot, 10th Earl of Shrewsbury
