John Rede, MP

Family and Education b. by 1530, 2nd s. of Richard Rede (d. 18 July 1544) of Boddington by Joan, da. of William Rudhale of Rudhall, Herefs. educ. I. Temple. m. by 1560, Margaret, da. of John Pauncefoot by Bridget, da. of Robert Tate of London. suc. bro. 24 Feb. 1570.1

Offices Held

Commr. sewers, Glos., Worcs. 1553-4.2

Biography John Rede was a lawyer with a largely west-country clientele. Although a younger son of a Gloucestershire family with a modest estate he was well connected and could number among his kin the families of Berkeley and Brydges. It was presumably their sponsorship which explains his return for Cricklade, but to such powerful backing he could have added his own family’s interest in the locality, his elder brother William holding property at Ashton Keynes, Haydon and Leigh. His election was doubtless approved by his uncle William Rede I who had served for the borough earlier and who in 1554 joined him in the House as one of the knights for Gloucestershire. Both uncle and nephew were found to be absent at the call of the House early in January 1555. As John Rede ‘of Bristol, gentleman’ he was informed against on this account in the King’s bench and as John Rede ‘of London, gentleman’ he was fined 53s.4d. during Hilary term 1556, at which time two fellow-Inner Templars stood surety for him.3

Apart from his practice and Membership little has come to light about Rede. In 1544 he inherited an annuity of £4 from his father; four years later he was involved in a Star Chamber case concerning trespass and the theft of some hawks on his elder brother’s manor of Redgrove. A man of his name, but perhaps a namesake, swore allegiance to Mary at Framlingham on 14 July 1553. On the death of his elder brother he succeeded to ‘the most part’ of the family property but he did not enjoy it for long. It was at the family house at Boddington that he made his will on 20 July 1570, asking to be buried near his father in the parish church, providing for his wife (the executrix) and remembering other relatives. Rede died just over two weeks later on 3 Aug.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558 Author: Elizabeth McIntyre Notes 1. Date of birth estimated from age at brother’s i.p.m. C142/153/59. Vis. Herefs. ed. Weaver, 93; VCH Berks. iv. 165; PCC 1 Holney. 2. CPR, 1553-4, p. 37; 1554-5, p. 107. 3. CPR, 1547-8, p. 402; 1553, p. 152; KB27/1176-7; 28/188; St.Ch.3/2/5. 4. APC, iv. 429; St.Ch.3/2/5, 6/12; SP12/67/30; PCC 59 Chaynay, 9 Lyon, 1 Holney