JOHN, Hugh, of Bedford.

Now a very obscure figure, Hugh received a royal pardon, describing him as ‘of Bedford, yeoman, alias late of Bedford, husbandman’, in November 1452. C67/40, m. 17. This wording might suggest he was a burgess of little status, but notwithstanding his obscurity he was of sufficient local prominence to represent the town in at least three Parliaments and to hold office as one of its bailiffs.

In the late 1460s, Edmund Grey, earl of Kent, employed a Hugh John as his bailiff and parker at Winfarthing, with a fee of 40s. p.a. It is possible that this was the Bedford man, since Grey was a magnate with substantial interests in Bedfordshire. Grey of Ruthin Valor, 5, 42, 136-40.