FERROUR, John I

The Crown appointed John Ferrour of Bedford a tax collector in January 1392, but it is unclear whether he was the MP or a namesake.3 CFR, xi. 26. There was also a John Ferrour of Bromham, just west of Bedford, in the late 14th or early 15th century: C1/6/352. The MP was perhaps the brother of Thomas Ferrour, who sat for Bedford in the Parliament of May 1421. He played a less active role in the borough’s affairs than Thomas, who regularly attested its parliamentary elections, including that of 1422, and served at least two terms as one of its bailiffs. In spite of this relatively inactivity, he was sufficiently prominent to be included in a list of those Bedfordshire residents required in 1434 to swear that they would keep the peace.4 CPR, 1429-36, p. 374.

It is possible that Ferrour possessed interests outside Bedford and that he was the John Ferrour of Silsoe (a few miles to the south of the town) caught up in the celebrated quarrel between John Cornwall, Lord Fanhope, and Reynold, Lord Grey of Ruthin. A follower of Cornwall, this John was present when Cornwall and his servants confronted Grey’s supporters at Bedford in January 1439, and in the following March he was one of those pardoned with Cornwall for their part in the fracas.5 CPR, 1436-41, pp. 246-7; E28/59/50. It is also possible that the MP was the John Ferrour whose daughter, Margery, married William atte Wode of Bedford.6 Bedford deed, BorBE2/56.