FRANKE, John (by 1493-1560/64), of Hastings, Suss.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Apr. 1554

Family and Education

b. by 1493, 1st s. of Edmund Franke of Hastings by Agnes, da. of John Benever of Hastings. m. by 1523, Joan, da. and h. of John Maxwell of Battle, 4s. inc. Richard 2da. suc. fa. 1523.

Offices Held

Chamberlain, Hastings 1514-15, jurat 1523-c.59, bailiff 1529-30, 1532-3, 1541-2, 1543-4, 1551-2, 1558-9; bailiff to Yarmouth 1525, 1530; purveyor for the King’s buildings, Dover 1536; victualler for Boulogne 1545-7.

Biography

There is some doubt whether it was the father or his eldest son and namesake who was MP for Hastings in 1554 and 1559, but as the father was still bailiff of Hastings at the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign it is likely that he was also the port’s representative in Parliament. He owned ‘a great shop to make fish’ and several coopers’ shops in Hastings. By his will, made as Jan. 1560 and proved 13 Apr. 1564, he appointed his wife executrix and residuary legatee. The son died v.p.

Vis. Suss. (Harl. Soc. liii), p. 116; Cinque Ports white bk. passim; LP Hen. VIII, passim; APC, 1547-50, p. 484; Lewes archd. ct. A5, f. 166; PCC 8 Bodfelde, 12 Streat.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: Patricia Hyde

Notes