John Radcliffe, 9th Baron FitzWalter

John Radcliffe, 9th Baron FitzWalter (born January 1, 1451 , † November 24, 1496 in Calais ) was an English nobleman and politician.

Origin and family

On his father's side, John Radcliffe came from an old English noble family who fought on the side of the Yorks in the Wars of the Roses and whose grandfather had become a Knight of the Garter . His father, John Radcliffe, married Elisabeth Fitzwalter , suo iure 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (1430–1485). The maternal Fitzwalter family was one of the oldest Anglo-Norman families and had held a seat in the upper house as hereditary barons Fitzwalter since 1295. He himself was born on January 1, 1451. After his mother's death in August 1485, he inherited her title, a barony by writ , and became the 9th Baron Fitzwalter.

Career and further life

With the title, John Radcliffe had also inherited the lands and influence of the Fitzwalter family. He became Steward of the Kings Household shortly before October 19, 1485 and Joint Warden and Chief Justice of the Kings Forrests South of th Trent on January 14, 1486. In addition, on February 25, 1486 was appointed Warden of all other royal forests for life. He also received the office of steward of the reigns of Seham Toney, Little Crassingham and other estates on March 6, 1486, also for life. On November 10, 1487, he was commissioner to organize the coronation ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth of York , the wife of Henry VII.

From 1485 to 1495 he was regularly called to the sessions of parliament. He was ostracized on October 14, 1495 for allegedly supporting the Perkin Warbeck rebellion . His property was confiscated, his title was revoked, but his life was spared and he was imprisoned in Guînes . But when he made a failed attempt to escape from Guînes, he was executed on November 24, 1496 by beheading in Calais.

John Radcliffe was married twice; first with Anne, the sister of William Whethill, and then with a Margaret of unknown origin.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} The Complete Peerage, Volume V, page 484ff.
2. ^ ^{A b} Leigh Rayment's Peerage, Article Fitzwalter

predecessor	Office	successor
Elizabeth Radcliffe	Baron FitzWalter 1485-1495	Title forfeited Robert Radcliffe (from 1506)