JOHNSON, Basil, of Thavies’s Inn, St. Andrew’s, Holborn, London.

Almost nothing is known about Johnson, who was probably a lawyer. He was speculating in church lands in March 1562. The 2nd Earl of Bedford managed the 1571 Cornish borough elections, and was presumably responsible for Johnson’s return for Liskeard. The Cornish boroughs frequently returned London lawyers at this time as a matter of convenience. Johnson was a recusant in 1577, his goods being valued at £50.1CPR, 1558-60, p. 220; 1560-3, p. 220; SP12/118/73; Cath. Rec. Soc. xxii. 45.