John Fortescue of Salden

This article is about the 16th-century English statesman. For other uses, see John Fortescue (disambiguation).

Sir John Fortescue (ca. 1531 or 1533 – 23 December 1607) of Salden Manor, near Mursley, Buckinghamshire, was the seventh Chancellor of the Exchequer of England, serving from 1589 until 1603.

He was the son of Adrian Fortescue and his wife Anne. Fortescue had six children with his first wife, and a seventh with his second wife after the death of his first wife. Many of his children followed his path in politics, holding positions in Parliament. His father Adrian Fortescue was martyred and has been beatified.

He led a largely undistinguished career in Parliament prior to his accession to the chancellorship, serving in several districts (including for Wallingford), and he continued to serve in Parliament after losing that title. 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. When King James I came to the throne in 1603, Fortescue advocated restrictions on his power, in part in order to limit the appointment of Scottish people. These reforms were not implemented, and as a result, James dismissed him from his position as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He retained, however, his position in Parliament and as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as well as the keeper of the wardrobe.

Fortescue was buried in Mursley Church in Buckinghamshire, England, where a monument has been erected in his honour.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Walter Mildmay	Chancellor of the Exchequer 1589–1603	Succeeded by George Home
Preceded by Arthur Grey	Custos Rotulorum of Buckinghamshire 1594–1600	Succeeded by Francis Fortescue
Preceded by Robert Cecil	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1601–1607	Succeeded by Sir Thomas Parry
Parliament of England
Preceded by Francis Goodwin John Borlase	Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire with Thomas Tasburgh 1588–1589 Sir Robert Dormer 1593 Francis Goodwin1597–1598 1588–1598	Succeeded by Francis Fortescue Alexander Hampden
Preceded by Sir Robert Wroth Sir John Peyton	Member of Parliament for Middlesex with Sir Robert Wroth 1601	Succeeded by Sir Robert Wroth Sir W. Fleetwood