James Strangeways

Sir James Strangeways (died ca. 1480) was Speaker of the House of Commons of England between 1461–1462.[1]

Life

He was the son of Sir James Strangeways of Whorlton, Yorkshire appointed judge of the common pleas in 1426 [2] by his wife Joan, daughter of Nicholas Orrell.

A Yorkist, he fought at the 1st battle of St Albans in 1455, Blore Heath in 1459, Wakefield in 1460, (when he was reported as killed) and Towton in 1461.

He was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1446, 1453, and 1469 and was returned for the county to the parliaments of 1449 and 1460.

He was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons in the first parliament of Edward IV, which met in November 1461. For the first time in English history the speaker addressed the king, immediately after his presentation and allowance, in a long speech reviewing the state of affairs and recapitulating the history of the civil war. The parliament transacted hardly any business other than numerous acts of attainder against Lancastrians. It was prorogued to 6 May 1462, and then dissolved. Strangeways then served on various commissions for the defence of the kingdom and suppression of rebellions, and sat regularly on the commissions of the peace for the North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.

He died in 1480 (or 1516[3]), and was buried in the abbey church of St. Mary Overy's, Southwark. He had married twice; firstly Elizabeth Darcy, (daughter of Sir Philip Darcy, 6th Baron Darcy of Knayth), with whom he had at least 11 children [4] including Robert Strangeways [5] whose daughter, Joan Strangeways, married Christopher Boynton, son of Sir Christopher Boynton (d.1452) of Sedbury [6] (buried at St Mary's Church, South Cowton).

James Strangeways married secondly Elizabeth Eure.[5]

His grandson, also Sir James Strangeways and often confused with his grandfather, was also High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1492 and 1508.

References

  1. Department of Information Services (9 July 2009). "Speakers of the House of Commons" (PDF). SN/PC/04637. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  2. Plea Rolls of the Court of Common Pleas; National Archives; CP 40/717; Year 1440; http://aalt.law.uh.edu/AALT1/H6/CP40no717/bCP40no717dorses/IMG_1902.htm; 4th entry as defendant against John Fastolf, knight
  3.  "Strangeways, James". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  4. Lock, Julian. "Strangways, Sir James". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/26642. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. 1 2 Richardson, Douglas (2011). Magna Carta ancestry : a study in colonial and medieval families, Vol IV (2nd ed.). Salt Lake City, UT.: Douglas Richardson. p. 128. ISBN 9781460992708.
  6. Richardson, Douglas (2011). Magna Carta ancestry : a study in colonial and medieval families, Vol IV (2nd ed.). Salt Lake City, UT.: Douglas Richardson. p. 189. ISBN 9781460992708.
Political offices
Preceded by
John Green
Speaker of the House of Commons
14611462
Succeeded by
John Wood
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