John Fortescue of Salden

Sir John Fortescue (ca. 1531 or 153323 December 1607) of Salden Manor, near Mursley, Buckinghamshire, was the seventh Chancellor of the Exchequer of England, serving from 1589 until 1603. Origins Fortescue was the son of Adrian Fortescue, who was martyred and has been beatified. Sir John was a great-grandson of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn, Lord Mayor of London (1457), and thus a second-cousin of Queen Elizabeth I. His mother was Anne Reade, daughter of Sir William Reade. He was descended from Sir Richard Fortescue, 3rd son of Sir John Fortescue (died after 1432), Captain of the Castle of Meaux, of Shepham in the parish of Modbury, Devon. He was restored in blood and to his estate at Shirburn in Oxfordshire in 1551. Career Fortescue acquired early a considerable reputation as a scholar and was chosen to direct the Princess Elizabeth's classical studies in Mary's reign. On the accession of Elizabeth he was appointed keeper of the great wardrobe. Starting in 1572 he led a largely undistinguished career in Parliament prior to his accession to the chancellorship in 1589, serving in several districts (including for Wallingford), and he continued to serve in Parliament after losing that title. He was also appointed to the Privy Council in 1589 and was knighted in 1601. Fortescue also held the position of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1601 to his death. Fortescue served under Queen Elizabeth I and was knighted in 1592. He inherited the manor of Great Washbourne from his mother. By means of his lucrative employments he amassed great wealth, with which he bought large estates in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and kept up a large household. He took a prominent part in public business, was a member of the court of the Star Chamber and an ecclesiastical commissioner, sat on various important commissions, and as chancellor of the exchequer explained the queen's financial needs and proposed subsidies in parliament.