Title: High Sheriff of Lancaster
Name: John Darcy
Herald date: 1323
Azure, semee of crosses crosslet and three cinquefolis pierced Argent.
The Darcy family held lands in Temple Newsham and Templehurst, Yorkshire and John was born about 1280, perhaps in Knaith, Yorkshire.
John became one of the most trusted advisors to Edward III and was appointed Sheriff of Yorkshire (1327-1328) and later Sheriff of Nottingham and Derbyshire. He was Steward to the king 1337-1340 and then Chamberlain 1342-1346.
John was summoned to Parliament in 1331, 1333 and 1342, and in 1342 he took part in the Earl of Northampton’s expedition to Flanders.
He was Constable of Nottingham Castle (1343-1344) and of the Tower of London (1345-1346). A soldier most of his life, John fought in many campaigns in France and Scotland, including Crecy (1346) after which he was among the delegation sent to England with news of the victory.
Married twice (Emmeline daughter of Sir Walter of Silkstone and Joan widow of Thomas Fitzjohn, Earl of Kildare) John was highly unpopular with large sections of the nobility. He was created First Lord Darcy of Knaith, and died on May 30th 1347. He is buried at Gisborough Priory.
