 Abt 1333 - 1422 (~ 89 years)
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| Name |
John of Ordsall Radcliffe |
| Prefix |
Sir |
| Birth |
Abt 1333 |
probably Ordsall, Lancashire, England  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
8 Aug 1422 |
Ordsall, Lancashire, England |
| Notes |
- http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/RADCLIFFE3.htm#John%20RADCLIFFE%20of%20Ordsall%20(Sir)3
was twenty-four years old when he succeeded to his inheritance. He lived through the reigns of three monarchs, «b»Richard II«/b», «b»Henry IV«/b» and «b»Henry V«/b». «b»John«/b» entered military service at an early age, desiring no doubt to emulate the fame of his grandfather, and was associated with his kinsman, «b»Sir Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent«/b», half-brother to «b»King Richard«/b». In 1385 he was amongst those chosen by the «b»Earl of Kent«/b» to accompany him when he went to take up his appointment as Captain of Cherbourg, and the «b»King«/b»'s protection was granted to «b»Radcliffe«/b» for the safeguarding of his estates during his absence abroad. For some reason his plans were changed; he did not go to Normandy, and the protection was withdrawn. In that year «b»Charles VI of France«/b» determined to invade England, and assembled a great army in Flanders, with an armada at the port of Sluys to convey them across. The young «b»King«/b»'s uncles wisely dissuaded him from the enterprise, and the expedition was abandoned. It is probable that the services of «b»John Radcliffe«/b» were more necessary at home at such a time than they would be overseas. The incompetence of «b»King Richard«/b» forced the support of the nation to his uncle, the «b»Duke of Gloucester«/b», whose appointment as head of the Great Council the «b»King«/b» was forced to concede. Gradually the power of the Lancastrian party was rising and the «b»Lord of Ordsall«/b» was a devoted adherent of that house. «b»John of Gaunt«/b» died in 1399, and «b»Richard«/b» thereupon seized his immense estates and kept them, notwithstanding his letters patent to the banished «b»Henry of Lancaster«/b» permitting him to take possession of his lawful inheritance. According to the Deputy Keeper's Reports, the Radcliffe title to Ordsall was challenged at this time, from which it might appear that «b»Sir John«/b» was with «b»Duke Henry«/b» in his exile. Within a short time, however, «b»Henry«/b» landed at Ravenspur, «b»Richard«/b» was deposed, and Lancaster was proclaimed King as «b»Henry VI«/b». Throughout the fourteen years of his reign the new «b»King«/b» found «b»Sir John«/b» ever a gallant champion of his cause. He fought at Hateley Field, and was amongst those whom «b»King Henry«/b» held in constant favour. When «b»Henry V«/b» succeeded his father, «b»Radcliffe«/b» like his cousin at Attleburgh was appointed to the personal service of the «b»King«/b», and was given a captaincy in the French war. Though now an elderly man «b»Sir John«/b» bore himself with distinction at Agincourt. He was present at the capture of Caen and the Siege of Rouen, and in 1421 was chosen by the «b»King«/b» for election to the Order of the Garter. This honour was actually denied him, however, for he died before the Feast of St. George following. ABT 1375 he married «b»Margaret«/b», daughter of «b»Sir Henry Trafford«/b», whose manor house faced the hall of Ordsall across the River Irwell. «b»Sir Henry«/b» was a considerable landowner of the county, and a notable knight who had won fame in the campaigns of «b»Edward III«/b». «b»Margaret«/b» survived her husband, she is said to have been married again, shortly after «b»Sir John«/b»'s death, to «b»Robert Orrell of Turton«/b», though she was then past her sixtieth year. In 1413, the year that «b»Henry IV«/b» died, «b»Sir John«/b» had a dispute with his sons, and agreed to accept the arbitration therein of «b»Ralph Radcliffe«/b», son of «b»Sir Ralph of Smithills«/b», apparently with successful result. At the death of «b»Sir John«/b» it was found that the Rochdale Bailiwick was worth nothing, as the outgoings exceeded the receipts. In 1430 therefore his heir sold the family interest in the bailiwick and serjeancy of Rochdale to «b»Sir John Byron«/b».
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| Person ID |
I43830 |
Glenn Cook Family |
| Last Modified |
21 Jun 2007 |
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