John Golafre

Who is John Golafre?

John Golafre was an English courtier and Member of Parliament.

He was born the only son of Thomas Golafre of Radley Manor in Berkshire. An uncle was Sir John Brocas, Master of the King's Horse. A cousin, Sir John Golafre, was a close friend of the king.

By 1395 he had secured a position at the court of Richard II. By 1396 he had inherited the extensive estates of his uncle, another Sir John Golafre. In 1406 he gained possession of Fyfield Manor in Berkshire, which he made his home.

In 1397 he was appointed Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire. He was also that year elected as a Knight of the Shire for Oxfordshire. In 1399 he was briefly imprisoned by Henry IV for his support of King Richard but in 1404 was reappointed sheriff. He was afterwards appointed sheriff for 1414 and 1424. During much of this period he also served as a Justice of the Peace for Oxfordshire.

He was elected MP for Berkshire in 1401 and re-elected on another 11 occasions between then and 1429. He also served on a number of commissions and was tax controller, escheator, controller and surveyor of Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire and verderer of Woodstock Park.