ST. JOHN, Oliver (by 1522-82), of Bletsoe, Beds.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. by 1522, 1st s. of Sir John St. John of Bletsoe by 1st w., and bro. of John. m. (1) by Feb. 1543, Agnes, da. of Sir John Fisher, gd.-da. and h. of Sir Michael Fisher (d. Feb. 1549) of Clifton, Beds., 4s. inc. John II and Oliver II 6da.; (2) by 28 Aug. 1572, Elizabeth, da.of Geoffrey Chamber of Stanmore,Mdx., wid. of Sir Walter Stonor (d.1551) of Stonor, Oxon., of Reginald Conyers (d.1560) of Wakerley, Northants., and of Edward Griffin (d.1569) of Dingley, Northants. suc. fa. 19 Dec. 1558. cr. Baron St. John of Bletso 13 Jan. 1559.1

Offices Held

Gent. waiter extraordinary, household of Prince Edward by 1547, royal household 1547; commr. relief, Beds. 1550, musters 1560, eccles. causes, dioceses of Lincoln and Peterborough 1571, 1575; sheriff, Beds. and Bucks. 1551-2; j.p. Beds. 1554-8, q. 1558/59-d., Cambs., Hunts. 1562-d.; custos rot. Beds. 1558/59; ld. lt. 1569.2

Biography

Oliver St. John began his career in the household of Prince Edward, and on the accession of his master he entered the royal household. His own court connexion combined with his father’s influence explain his return as one of the knights for Bedfordshire to the first Parliament of the reign, although as yet he had no experience of local affairs. The designation ‘junior’ on the election indenture leaves no doubt that it was he and not his uncle and namesake who was then returned. All that is known of his part in the Commons is that on 21 Feb. 1549 he was licensed to be absent for three days, presumably on account of problems arising from his wife’s succession to the Fisher inheritance in the midlands. If he was re-elected to the King’s second Parliament, it was not for Bedfordshire, but he could have obtained a seat for almost any borough. From 1550 he figured increasingly in county administration and from 1554 he served as a magistrate.3

Ennobled shortly after his father’s death St. John demonstrated his allegiance to Elizabeth in both public and private matters. His second marriage to a widow well provided for by two of her three previous husbands further enriched him. He made his will on 20 Apr. 1582 and died the following day.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

  • 1. Date of birth estimated from marriage. Vis. Beds. (Harl. Soc. xix), 53-55; CP; VCH Beds. ii. 277, 323; CSP Dom. 1595-7, p. 359; PCC 19 Mellershe, 22 Tirwhite; R. J. Stonor, Stonor, 216; C142/120/12.
  • 2. Roy. 7, C16, f. 94; LC2/2, f. 53v; CPR, p. 351; 1553-4, p. 17; 1560-3, pp. 433, 435, 437; 1569-72, pp. 277-8; 1572-5, p. 551; Coll. State Pprs. ed. Haynes, i. 559-60; State Trials, ed. Howell, i. 957.
  • 3. CJ, i. 8.
  • 4. APC, iv. v, vii, x, xiii; CPR, 1558-60, p. 74; 1563-6, pp. 43, 361; PCC 5 Bucke, 19 Mellershe, 32 Holney; HMC Var. iii. 87-88; Selden Soc. xii, 64 seq.; St.Ch.3/3/22, 7/34; C142/198/1; PCC 22 Tirwhite.