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Although the precise nature of their relationship is not known, John must have been a close kinsman, perhaps the son or younger brother, of Robert Overdo I, who represented Appleby at least ten times in Parliament, and was, indeed, returned with him on each of the three occasions when he himself sat for the borough. By Easter 1390 John was known as ‘the elder’ ; and it was as such that he obtained the lease of certain property in the Burghgate, Appleby, belonging to the chantry of St. Nicholas and St. Mary in the parish church of St. Laurence. By the terms of the contract, which was made with the consent of the mayor and bailiffs, he and his heirs were to pay an annual rent of 4s. to the chantry for the next 200 years. At some point before May 1397, John was outlawed for failing to appear in court when being sued by William Hovingham for trespass, although he surrendered himself into the custody of the Marshalsea in London, and was duly accorded a royal pardon.1

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: C.R.

Notes

Variants: Ouerdo, Overdos.

• 1. Later Recs. N. Westmld. ed. Curwen, 57; CPR, 1396-9, p. 123.