Family and Education

2nd s. of John Dorrington of ?Stow, Hunts. by Elizabeth, da. of Thomas Lenton. m. bef. 1545, Mary, a wid., da. of Christopher ?Basford of London, 5s. inc. John 4da.

Offices Held

Footman to Henry VIII by 1541; keeper of bandogs and mastiffs from Feb. 1541; bailiff of various royal manors in Kent, Lincs. and Northants. (appointed bet. 1540 and 1544); gent. pens. from c.1550; j.p. Hunts. from c.1554, q. from c.1562.

Biography

Dorrington survived the religious changes of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Queen Mary, still being classified by his bishop in 1564 as ‘earnest in religion’ and suitable to remain on the commission of the peace. From humble origins he thrice attained the status of knight of the shire, but all that has been ascertained about him in Parliament is his being granted leave of absence on 20 and 22 Mar. 1563. He died between 11 Feb. and 28 Mar. 1573, before the second session of that Parliament, and was buried at Spaldwick, where he had resided since 1554 when not on duty at court. He bequeathed considerable sums to the poor of the Huntingdonshire parishes where he owned land, Barham, Spaldwick, Stow and Upthorpe. Dorrington’s wife and eldest son John were the co-executors and residuary legatees.

Harl. 890, f. 48; Cal. Feet of Fines, Hunts.(Camb. Antiq. Soc. Pubs. oct. ser. xxxvii), 133; LP Hen. VIII, xvi. 697, 724; xviii(1), p. 546; xix(1), p. 642; xxi(1), p. 69; Stowe 571, f. 31d; E407/1/1, 3, 6; APC, v. 63; Edwardian Inventories for Hunts. (Alcuin Club. Colls. vii), 21; VCH Hunts. ii. 26; Lansd. 3, f. 197; Cam. Misc.ix(3), p. 29; CJ, i. 70; PCC 10 Peter, 82 Harte.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

• 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament.