FORE, John, of Shaftesbury, Dorset.

It had been thought that this MP was the same person as John Ford I*, who represented the Dorset boroughs of Melcombe Regis in 1410 and Dorchester in seven Parliaments between 1417 and 1423. The Commons 1386-1421, iii. 102. However, the appearance of a John Fore among the attestors to three parliamentary elections for Shaftesbury, and as a juror at Shaftesbury on other occasions, is a strong indication that they were two different people. Fore gave evidence at the inquisitions post mortem conducted in the town in May 1428, following the death of Sir John Berkeley† of Beverstone, and in April 1430 following those of Walter Romsey esquire and William Payn†. C139/35/50, 44/22, 45/34. Nothing is recorded about his private affairs or his property-holdings. Nor is it known whether he ever occupied a borough office, although his trade, as a mercer, is revealed in a lawsuit of 1433 in which he was sued by another Shaftesbury man for a debt of £10 13s. 4d. CP40/689, rot. 264d.