John Suckling (politician)

Sir John Suckling (1569 – 27 March 1627) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1601 and 1627.

Roos hall, Suffolk - bought by Suckling in 1600

Suckling was the son of Robert Suckling, mayor of Norwich and MP for the city's constituency between 1571-1572 and 1586-1588, and his wife Elizabeth Barwick, daughter of William Barwick. He entered Gray's Inn on 22 May 1590.[1] He was elected Member of Parliament for Dunwich in 1601.[2]

In 1602, he was acting as secretary to the Lord High Treasurer, Sir Robert Cecil, and in December 1604 he became receiver of fines on alienations, in succession to Sir Arthur Aty. In 1614 he was elected MP for Reigate.[2] He was knighted by James I at Theobalds on 22 January 1616.[3] In February 1619 he became a Master of Requests, and, in 1622, he was appointed comptroller of the royal household, "paying well for the post." Suckling had become wealthy and accumulated manors, fee-farms, and advowsons in various parts of the country.

In September 1621, he was mentioned as Sir Richard Weston's most serious competitor for the chancellorship of the exchequer and in March 1622 he was promoted to be secretary of state. Charles I, upon his accession three years later, created him a privy councillor.[1]

Alabaster monument (circa 1611) to Sir John Suckling (politician)

In 1624, he was elected MP for Middlesex, Lichfield and Kingston upon Hull and chose to sit for Middlesex. In 1625, he represented Yarmouth (IoW) after Edward Clarke opted to sit for Hythe. In 1626 he was elected MP for Norwich and for Sandwich; he chose to sit for Norwich.[2]

  1. ^ a b Dictionary of National Biography
  2. ^ a b c Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.
  3. ^ Knights of England