John Puckering

Sir John Puckering (1544 in Flamborough, Yorkshire – 30 April 1596) was a lawyer, politician, Speaker of the English House of Commons, and Lord Keeper from 1592 until his death.[1]

Early life

Puckering was born in 1544 in Flamborough, East Riding of Yorkshire, and was the second son of William Puckering.[2] He entered Lincoln's Inn on 10 April 1559[3] and he was called to the bar on 15 January 1567. After some years' practice, he became a governor in 1575, and in 1577 became an elected reader in Lent.[2] He became a sergeant at law in 1580.[4]

Work in Parliament

Puckering became a member of parliament in 1581.[5] On 23 November 1585, Parliament met and elected Puckering, who was returned for Bedford, as Speaker of the House of Commons.[2] During this Parliament, a bill against Jesuits was brought up for discussion.[6] Dr William Parry, who was later executed for high treason, said the bill was "cruel, bloody and desperate". Puckering ordered him into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms for his use of language, and after some discussion, Parry apologised and retook his seat.[7] Puckering's skill with dispute solving and speeches was recognised, and he was elected as the Speaker in the next parliament, which opened on 15 October 1586 when he represented Gatton, Surrey.[8] This was the parliament that decided the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Puckering was heavily involved with the decision.[9]

On 1 March 1587, shortly following Mary's execution, a member of parliament named Wentworth asked Puckering to answer some questions regarding the liberties of the House. Puckering refused, but showed one of the questions to Sir Thomas Heneage of the Privy Council. Wentworth, and four other members of parliament who seconded his motion were imprisoned in the Tower of London for an unknown length of time. The following year, Puckering was knighted[10] and according to some sources was made Queen's Sergeant, though other sources claim he had been made sergeant two years before.[2]

Queen's Sergeant

Puckering took part in several trials as Queen's Sergeant. He was successfully leader for the crown in the trial of Philip, Earl of Arundel, who was accused of high treason. He joined in the commission with Judge Clarke, in July 1590 in the trial of John Udall who had published libel about the queen.[8] His final trial was that of Sir John Perrot, the lord deputy of Ireland.[11] On 28 May 1592, Puckering was made the Lord Keeper.[12]

Lord Keeper

Puckering was Lord Keeper for four years, but only presided over one Parliament. During this period, he lived at Russell House near Ivy Bridge, and then York House, both on the Strand.[13] He also owned a country house in Kew, where he entertained the queen on 13 December 1595.[14]

Some of Puckering's papers as Sergeant and Lord Keeper were printed by John Strype. These include interrogations of Catholic recusants like John Whitfield in 1593, who was involved with Francis Dacre in a plot for a Spanish invasion of Scotland, and the allowance of bread for the students of Christchurch College, Oxford.[15]

Puckering died on 30 April 1596 of apoplexy, at his home, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.[16]

Family

Tomb of Thomas Puckering by Nicholas Stone 1639, St Mary's, Warwick, engraving by Wencelas Hollar

Puckering married Jane Chowne,[17] daughter of Nicholas Chowne[18] of Fairlawn, near Wrotham, Kent, and Aldenham, Herts., from his second marriage to Elizabeth Lloyd, widow of Evan Lloyd, a brewer.

They had several children; their son, Thomas was made a baronet in 1612 but died without issue. Thomas's epitaph records his involvement in the education of Henry, Prince of Wales.[19] John's daughters included Catherine, who married Adam Newton, the tutor of Prince Henry. After Puckering's death, his widow Jane married William Combe,[20] who with his nephew John Combe, sold land at Stratford to William Shakespeare in 1602. Jane was buried at St. Mary’s, Warwick, on 15 July 1611.

Notes

  1. ↑ Birch, Thomas, The Life of Henry Prince of Wales, London (1760), 325.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Foss, p531
  3. ↑ Paley Baildon, p65
  4. ↑ Chauncey, p134
  5. ↑ Campbell, p184
  6. ↑ Manning, p250
  7. ↑ Manning, p.251
  8. 1 2 Foss, p.532
  9. ↑ Manning, pp.252–254
  10. ↑ Manning, p.255
  11. ↑ Campbell, p.187
  12. ↑ Campbell, p.188
  13. ↑ Foss, p.533
  14. ↑ Foss, p.534
  15. ↑ Strype, John, ed., Annals of the Reformation, vol.4, Oxford (1824) see contents p.vii-xxviii.
  16. ↑ Campbell, p.192
  17. ↑ PROB 11/118, 291/257-8,Will of Dame Jane Puckering or Puckeringe, Widow, dated 17 May 1611 and proved on 22 October 1611.
  18. ↑ See entry for Nicholas Chowne (Chune) in History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509–1588.
  19. ↑ Tomb epitaph, St Mary's Warwick, engraved by Wencelas Hollar
  20. ↑ See entry for William Combe in History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1551–1610.

Bibliography

Political offices
Preceded by
Sir John Popham		 Speaker of the House of Commons
1584–1586 		Succeeded by
Thomas Snagge
Preceded by
In Commission		 Lord Chancellor
and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
1592–1596 		Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Egerton
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