Sir John Huband, MP

Family and Education 1st s. of Nicholas Huband of Ippsley by his w. Dorothy. m. (1) Anne, da. of Sir Thomas Englefield, wid. of Humphrey Coningsby I of Hampton Court, Herefs.; (2) Mary, da. of Sir George Throckmorton†. Kntd. 1574.

Offices Held

J.p. Herefs. from 1561, Warws. from 1564, Salop from 1573, Glos., Worcs., Mon., Merion., Brec., Glam. by 1580; sheriff, Herefs. 1562-3, 1571-2; steward of Kenilworth, Warws., Arwystli and Cyfeilog, Flints. c.1570-d.;2 member, council in the marches of Wales by 1579-d.

‘Steward’ to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and to Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.

Biography Huband’s status in Warwickshire was obviously sufficient to ensure him a turn as knight of the shire. In the event he served twice, being elected to fill the vacancy created by the death of his brother-in-law Clement Throckmorton. He may have been the Sir John ‘Hibbott’ named to committees examining returns, 24 Feb. 1581, and the preservation of game, 18 Feb.3

Huband’s influence extended to the city of Warwick, where he interceded with the Earl of Leicester who had been offended by the corporation in 1571. Together with John Fisher I, he worked to obtain several grants for the corporation. The two men subsequently quarrelled, Fisher claiming that Huband received undue credit for their joint achievements. Huband was an active member of the council in the marches of Wales, where, as a follower of Leicester and brother-in-law of (Sir) John Throckmorton I, he adhered to the Sidney faction. In 1575 he was unsuccessfully recommended by Sir William Gerard for promotion to vice-president. Apart from his official duties, Huband supervised the Earl of Leicester’s Welsh interests, and amassed sufficient personal wealth to buy the wardship of Anthony Browne, grandson of Viscount Montagu, interests in silver mines, and a licence to import currants.

He died 24 Dec. 1583. His will, made 1 Apr., included legacies to George Digby, (Sir) Thomas Coningsby and Thomas Dudley. His Herefordshire property went to a lady of uncertain status named Katherine Spaniard. Huband was owed £1,300 by Sir Hugh Cholmondeley, which he commissioned his executors to recover and to distribute among the corporations of Coventry, Hereford, Leominster, Stratford-on-Avon, Henley in Arden, Warwick and Kenilworth, to be lent free of interest to young beginners in industry. As overseer, he appointed his master the Earl of Leicester.4

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603 Author: W.J.J. Notes 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament. 2. Vis. Warws. (Harl. Soc. xii), 21; VCH Warws. iii. 124; Black Bk. of Warwick, 34, 244, 248-9; Dugdale, Warws. ii. 737-41; Parl. Rep. Land in Wales, Minutes v. 323; Flenley, Cal. Reg. Council, Marches of Wales ; Wards 7/21/147. 3. CJ, i. 128, 129; D’Ewes, 300. 4. Black Bk. of Warwick, 34, 43-4, 221-2, 244; SP12/107 no. 11; NLW, Wynnstay mss 58, 88; Sidney State Pprs. ed. Collins, i. 276-9; Cal. Wynn Pprs. 7, 9, 12-13, 16; CSP Dom. 1547-80, p. 675; PRO Index 10217 (i); PCC 26 Darcy, 30 Butts; Wards 7/21/147