CORK, John

Although more information can be added to the earlier biography, The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 660-1. Cork’ s parentage remains obscure. It is probable, however, that he was in some way related to Adam Cork, whom he served as a surety in the court of Chancery in 1406. C1/5/126. The descent given in a pleading in the ct. of c.p. in 1453, according to which there were two successive John Corks, who were both dead, and the elder of whom was the great-great-grandson of an Adam Cork, cannot readily be reconciled with what is known for definite of the family’s pedigree, and in addition presents problems on chronological grounds, as it postulates some six generations over the course of a century: CP40/769, rot. 439. At least in part, he may have owed his success in the lawsuits of 1432 against Thomas Carminowe*, Nicholas Radford* and John Palmer* to the good services of his attorney, Robert Clay*, a close associate of his wife’s kinsman, the influential Nicholas Aysshton*. KB27/683, rot. 39. It was also around this time that Cork quarreled with the local gentleman John Calwe†, who had represented Liskeard in the Commons in 1419 when he himself sat for Helston. Cork claimed that Calwe and a group of associates had forged property deeds in an attempt to deprive him of a holding in Bodwey. KB27/686, rot. 24d.

Cork maintained close ties with the influential Arundells of Lanherne, serving as steward of their estates, and at one time entrusted by Sir John Arundell I with a feoffeeship of two of his manors. Cornw. RO, Arundell mss, AR21/3. His service to the prior of Bodmin was matched by his employment by other houses, including the ancient priory of Tywardreath. Cornw. RO, Arundell (Tywardreath mss), ART1/9.

Cork’s links with the men of Liskeard were evidently stronger than those with the other boroughs he represented in the Commons, for he is found attesting deeds for them for some time after his term as their representative. Cornw. RO, Liskeard borough recs., B/Lis/78. Cork enjoyed a period of unbroken service on the quorum of the Cornish bench, and throughout his period of service was usually the most regular attender at the sessions of the peace and of oyer and terminer. E101/554/39, 40; 555/23, mm. 15, 16; KB27/694, rex rot. 7; 695, rex rot. 3d; 698, rex rot. 1; 714, rex rot. 20; 742, rots. 112d, 117. The Commons 1386-1421, ii. 660 repeats the error of CPR, 1436-41, p. 580, which wrongly omits Cork from the 1439 commission: C66/445, m. 30d.