The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Henry VII.

17 Sir JOHN SAINT JOHN, Mil.]

There were three Sir John Saint Johns successively in the same family, since their fix∣ing in this County:

• 1. The father, (this year Sheriffe) being son to Sir Oliver Saint John, by Mar∣garet daughter and sole heir to Sir John Beauchamp. This Margaret was afterwards married to John Duke of Somerset, to whom she bare Margaret, Mother to King Henry the seventh.
• 2. The son [Sheriffe in the seventh year of King Henry the eighth.]
• 3. The grand-child, Sheriffe in the third of Edward the sixth, and father to Oliver the first Lord Saint John.

This we insert to avoid confusion, it being the general complaint of Heraulds, that such Homonymie causeth many mistakes in pedigrees.

22 WILLIAM GASCOIGNE.]

Much wondering with my self how this Northem Name stragled into the South, I con∣sulted one of his Family, and a good Antiquary, by whom I was informed that this William was a Younger Brother of Gauthorpe house in York-shire, and was settled at Car∣dinton nigh Bedford in this County, by Marrying the Inheritrix thereof. He was after∣wards twice Sheriffe under King Henry the eighth, Knighted, and Controler of the House of Cardinall Woolsey. A rough Gentleman, preferring rather to profit then please his Master. And although the Pride of that Prelate, was sar above his Covetousnesse, yet his Wisedome well knowing Thrift to be the Fuell of Magnificence, would usually disgest advice from this his Servant, when it plainly tended to his own Emolument. The Name (and which is worse) the Essate is now quite extinct in this County.