John Astley

John Astley (1735 – 28 May 1803) was a Church of England clergyman and pluralist, Rector of Thornage, Brinton, Bintree, and Foulsham in Norfolk. Early life A younger son of Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Baronet (1692–1760), of Melton Constable Hall, Norfolk, Astley was born in 1735 at Hindolveston. His mother, Dame Lucy, was a daughter of Sir Nicholas L'Estrange, of Hunstanton. He was educated at Holt Grammar School, under John Holmes, and Bury Grammar School. At Easter 1752, aged seventeen, Astley was admitted to Caius College, Cambridge, where he held a scholarship for four years, until 1756. He graduated LL.B. in 1759. Career At Norwich on 19 February 1758 Astley was ordained by Thomas Hayter as a deacon and then eight months later as a priest. The same year, he was appointed as Rector of Thornage and Brinton, Norfolk, benefices he held until his death. He was presented to Brinton by his father, who was patron of the living.