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John Harington, 1st Baron Harington (1539/40 – 23 August 1613) ofExton inRutland, was an English courtier and politician.
He was the eldest son and heir ofSir James Harington (c. 1511–1592) of Exton, by his wife, Lucy Sidney (c. 1520 – c. 1591), daughter ofSir William Sidney by his wife, Anne Pagenham. His family was said to have held 'the most extensive estates in Rutland during the late sixteenth century'.[1]
He entered theInner Temple in 1558, and was elected aMember of Parliament forRutland in 1571.
He was a Commissioner of the Peace forKesteven from about 1559 to 1593, and was a servant toRobert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester in theNetherlands in 1585 and was Keeper ofKenilworth Castle, Warwickshire (1588–1590) forAmbrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick. He was appointedSheriff of Warwickshire for 1582 and wasknighted in 1584 by Sir Henry Sidney at Sir Thomas Henneage's house in London.[2]
Harington was aKnight of the Shire (MP) forWarwickshire in 1586, when he accompaniedMary, Queen of Scots through Warwickshire on her way toFotheringhay inNorthamptonshire. He was again MP for Rutland in 1593 and 1601 and was madeDeputy Lieutenant of Rutland andWarwickshire during the 1590s. He was alsoHigh Sheriff of Rutland for 1594, 1598 and 1602.
Harington was keeper ofKenilworth Castle from 1588 to 1590 forAmbrose Dudley,Earl of Warwick. His daughter Lucy marriedEdward Russell, the nephew of the Earl of Warwick's widowAnne Russell, Countess of Warwick.[3]
On New Year's Day 1596 he produced a performance ofTitus Andronicus and amasque written by his brother-in-lawSir Edward Wingfield at his house atBurley-on-the-Hill.[4] A contemporary noted that he paid for the extravagant household, horses, and hunting of his daughter Lucy and the Earl of Bedford, and was forced to lease out his lands on unfavourable terms to raise money.[5]
On 23 April 1603 he entertained KingJames I on his journey from Scotland at Burley with dinner and a welcoming speech written bySamuel Daniel.[6] James left forBurghley House followed by Harington's hounds. He returned on 25 April and fell off his horse, injuring his arm, and after staying the night left in Harington's coach.[7]
He was createdBaron Harington of Exton in July 1603 at the coronation of King James. He was made guardian of that king's daughter, PrincessElizabeth. The high cost of entertaining the Princess ruined him. As partial recompense Harington was granted a licence to mint the first copperfarthings by the king.
Princess Elizabeth marriedFrederick V, Elector Palatine and Lord Harington accompanied her to theElectoral Palatinate. AtHeidelberg two of his servants fought withAndrew Keith, a Scottish courtier who had insulted his wife.[8]
Harington died atWorms, Germany on his way home in 1613. After his death his estate atExton was sold to pay his creditors, being purchased by SirBaptist Hicks.
He marriedAnne Keilway (d. 1620), daughter ofRobert Keilway, Surveyor of theCourt of Wards and Liveries. Their children included:
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by The Earl of Huntingdon | Lord Lieutenant of Rutland 1607–1613 | Succeeded by |
| Peerage of England | ||
| New creation | Baron Harington of Exton 1603–1613 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
