John Wingfield facts for kids

Sir John Wingfield was a brave English soldier who lived a long time ago, from before 1582 until 1596. He was known for his courage and leadership during important battles.

Early Life and Family

John Wingfield was the third son of Richard Wingfield from a place called Wantisden in Suffolk, England. His mother, Mary, was the sister of a very famous lady named Bess of Hardwick. John also had a brother, Anthony Wingfield, who was a Greek teacher to Queen Elizabeth I herself!

In 1593, John Wingfield became a Member of Parliament for Lichfield. This meant he helped make important decisions for England.

Fighting in Holland

John Wingfield volunteered to fight against the Spanish in Holland. In December 1585, he was made a captain in an army led by Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester.

He was hurt during a battle near Zutphen on September 22, 1586. After this brave act, the Earl of Leicester made him a knight, so he became "Sir John Wingfield." He was also one of the twelve knights who walked at the funeral of another famous soldier, Sir Philip Sidney, in 1587.

Governor of Geertruidenberg

Sir John went back to the Netherlands and became the governor of a town called Geertruidenberg. With help from his brother-in-law, Peregrine Bertie, he managed to defend the town well in 1588. He even helped force the Duke of Parma, a Spanish leader, to stop his attack on Bergen.

However, there were problems in Geertruidenberg. The English soldiers weren't getting paid, and they became restless. There was even a rumor that Sir John planned to give the town to the Spanish. Maurice of Nassau, a Dutch leader, came and demanded the town be given up. Sir John said he was not being a traitor, but on April 10, 1589, Geertruidenberg was given to the Spanish forces.

Service in France

After returning to England with his wife and new baby, Sir John continued his military career. In 1591, he served in Brittany, France, fighting against a group called the Catholic League. He worked under another soldier, Sir John Norris. The next year, in 1592, he was in charge of a military supply storehouse in Dieppe, France.

The Cadiz Expedition

In June 1596, Sir John Wingfield sailed on a ship called the Vanguard. He was a colonel and a camp-master in an important expedition led by Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Their mission was to attack Cadiz, a city in Spain.

Sir John bravely took part in an attack on the Spanish fleet. He was also one of the first soldiers to enter the city of Cadiz. On June 21, he was ordered to set a trap for the Spanish. He led 200 men towards the city gates, which were guarded by 500 Spanish cavalry. Sir John pretended to retreat in a panic, drawing the Spanish cavalry into a larger hidden English force.

In the fight that followed, the English broke through the city gates. Sir John was wounded in his leg. He couldn't walk, so he quickly found a horse to follow the Earl of Essex. As he rode, he became an easy target. He was instantly killed by a bullet to the head just as the city surrendered.

Sir John Wingfield was buried five days later in the cathedral at Cadiz with a special military ceremony. It is said that the generals cried and threw their handkerchiefs into his grave. A famous writer named John Donne, who was also on the expedition, wrote a tribute to Sir John. The next year, Queen Elizabeth I gave Sir John's wife £100 a year to help her.

Family Life

Around 1582, Sir John Wingfield married Susan Bertie. She was the sister of Peregrine Bertie, Lord Willoughby de Eresby. Susan had been married before to Reginald Grey, the Earl of Kent. Sir John and Susan had two sons: Peregrine, who was born in Holland and likely named after his uncle, and Robert Wingfield.