John Gage (Tudor politician)

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Sir John Gage
Portrait of Sir John Gage, by Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1535–1540)
Lord Chamberlain
In office
1553–1556
MonarchMary I
Preceded byThe Lord Darcy of Chiche
Succeeded bySir Edward Hastings
Personal details
Born28 October 1479
Burstow, Surrey, England
Died18 April 1556(1556-04-18) (aged 76)
Firle Place, East Sussex, England
Resting placeFirle, East Sussex, England
SpousePhilippa Guildford
OccupationCourtier
Coat of arms of Sir John Gage, KG

Sir John Gage KG (28 October 1479 – 18 April 1556) was an English courtier during the Tudor period. He held a number of offices, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1542–1547), Comptroller of the Household (1540–1547), Constable of the Tower (1540–1556) and Lord Chamberlain (1553–1556).

Early life and family

John Gage was born on 28 October 1479 at

William Gage
and Agnes Bolney.

He married Philippa Guildford, daughter of Sir Richard Guildford, on 14 April 1502.[2][3] They were the parents of eight children:[4]

  • Sir Edward Gage - married Elizabeth, daughter of John Parker and also Joan, daughter of Sir Richard Sackville.
  • James Gage - married Jane, daughter of James Delves and widow of John Bellingham.
  • Robert Gage - married Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wilford.
  • William Gage - died without issue.
  • Alice Gage – married Sir Anthony Browne Jr.
  • Ann Gage – married John Thatcher.
  • Elizabeth Gage (d.1558) – married Sir John Jenyns (d.1547), a courtier who served as Master of the
    Boulogne.[5]
  • Cicily Gage - married Sir George Baynham.

Career

An

knighthood in 1525,[6] he moved to the post of Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1526, leaving court in 1533. He also represented Sussex three times (1529, 1539 and 1542) in the parliaments of Henry VIII.[6]

He remained active, attending, in 1537, the baptism of

Prince Edward and the funeral of Jane Seymour.[6] He returned to favour, and 1540 saw his appointment as Comptroller of the Household, Constable of the Tower and as a Privy Counsellor. In his role as Constable of the Tower, he supervised the arrangements for the execution of Catherine Howard.[7]

In 1541 he became a Knight of the Garter and in 1542 he succeeded as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.[6] In 1544 he undertook an important role for the invasion of France, organising transport and supplies for the army, and he became a knight banneret.

Present at the funeral of Henry VIII, he was appointed one of the executors of the king's will and a member of

Heylyn as "her bitter enemy, but more for love of the Pope than for hate of her person".[8]

Death

Effigy of Sir John Gage and Philippa Guildford

Gage died at his house,

Gerard Johnson the elder (1541–1611) and, along with monuments for some other members of their family, was erected in about 1595.[9][10]

His will, made on 20 February 1555/6, was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 10 June 1556. A lengthy and detailed household inventory was added as a schedule to the will and points to the wealth and lifestyle that Sir John enjoyed. An introduction and transcription of the inventory has been published.[11]

References

  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainBradley, Emily Tennyson (1889). "Gage, John". In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 20. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  1. ^ Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, 2nd series, Vol. 2, No. 480
  2. ISBN 978-1449966386.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  3. ^ Adams, Alison, ed. (1986). The Changing Face of Arthurian Romance. Cambridge: The Boydell Press. p. 101.
  4. ^ Gage, John (1822). The History and Antiquities of Hengrave in Suffolk. London. pp. 231–5.
  5. ^ "Notes to the diary: 1558 Pages 362-369 The Diary of Henry Machyn, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, 1550-1563. O". British History Online. Camden Society, 1848. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. ^
    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10272. Retrieved 12 February 2011. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)
  7. .
  8. Heylyn, Peter (1849). Robertson, James Craigie (ed.). Ecclesia restaurata; or the History of the Reformation of the Church of England. Vol. 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
    . p. 259.
  9. ^ "Sussex Parish Churches". Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Geograph:: Tomb of Sir John Gage, Firle church (C) Julian P Guffogg". www.geograph.org.uk.
  11. .

Bibliography

There does not appear to be a biography of Sir John Gage in the form of a book. However, the following lengthy and profusely referenced article provides extensive information about him and discusses his role in contemporary public life:

Political offices
Preceded by
The Lord Sandys
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
1526–1533
Unknown
Next known title holder:
Sir William Kingston
Preceded by Comptroller of the Household
1540–1547
Succeeded by
Constable of the Tower
1540–1556
Unknown
Preceded by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
1542–1547
Succeeded by
Preceded by Lord Chamberlain
1553–1556
Unknown
Next known title holder:
Sir Edward Hastings