John Clopton, Esquire, Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk

John Clopton was the son and heir of William Clopton and his second wife Margery Francis. He was born in 1423 at Kentwell, Long Melford, County Suffolk. He married Alice D'Arcy, the daughter of Sir Robert D'Arcy of Maldon in Essex and Lady Alice Fitzlangley Ungoe. Sir Robert's grandfather, Henry D'Arcy, was Sheriff and later Mayor of London. Lady Alice was the daughter and heiress of Henry Fitzlangley of Maldon and the widow of Robert Ungoe.

John died in 1497. They had five children: Sir William Clopton, Knight and heir; Sir Edmund Clopton, "Knight of the Rhodes," Edward Clopton of Glemsford, Suffolk; Anne Clopton Rokewood; and Dorothy Clopton Curson.

A particularly interesting reference to John is found in The Paston Letters, edited by Richard Barber, a collection of correspondence between members of the Paston Family of Norfolk from 1422-1509, now preserved at the British Museum. A marriage contract is being discussed between daughter Elizabeth Paston and John Clopton. John seems almost to have agreed to terms presented in 1454 by John Paston, her brother, and her mother, Agnes. A draft settlement was drawn up granting Elizabeth 400 marks on her marriage and John's share was to be lands worth 40 pounds a year. At this stage negotiations break down and we hear no more of the proposed marriage.

Poor Elizabeth! Stubbornly she refused to accept other marriage proposals forced on her by her family. And her mother, an equally determined woman, kept Elizabeth shut up so she could not see or speak to any man. Even conversations with servants in the house came under suspicion. A cousin, Elizabeth Clere, became so concerned and wrote to Elizabeth's brother in London: "Your sister was never in so great sorrow as she is nowadays. She has since Easter (three months) for the most part been beaten once a week or twice, sometimes twice in one day, and her head broken in two or three places." Elizabeth did finally marry at the age of thirty.

During the War of the Roses, John, a staunch Lancastrian, remained loyal to King Henry VI after his Yorkist cousin who was crowned as King Edward IV had defeated him. After having lost at the Battle of Towton, King Henry retreated to Scotland, and his wife, Queen Margaret, fled to the continent in search of allies. It was rumored she had raised an army of 120,000 men which soon would invade England. Considered politically important and accused of corresponding with Queen Margaret, John was arrested, charged with treason and sent to the Tower of London. Arrested with him were his fellow East Anglian magnets, John, Earl of Oxford and his son, Aubrey deVere; Sir Thomas Tuddenham, Sir John Montgomery, and Sir William Tyrrell. Sir John Montgomery and Sir William Tyrrell were Alice D'Arcy's brother-in law. John was acquitted but his four companions were beheaded February 22, 1461.

After his arrest John abandoned his Lancastrian leanings and embraced the Yorkist cause quickly and with much enthusiasm. He organized men and ships in East Anglia to protect the coast should there be an invasion along the Suffolk coast. This saved his life and placed him in a position of favor with the court. This action carried with it no stigma, as trading sides was a common practice.

John Clopton was the principal benefactor of Long Melford's Holy Trinity Church. Known as the "Jewel in the Crown of Suffolk," Holy Trinity Church is an exquisite example of Perpendicular Architecture. One of certainly a prime candidate for the honor. Fifty men were summoned to attend the coronation of Edward V on the 22nd of June to receive knighthood. Ninth on the list was that of John Clopton. He was to be inducted into the Order of the Knights of the Bath, the second highest Order of Chivalry in England. The chilling aspect is that while John was polishing his armour, adjusting the plums in his helmet, and gathering the necessary regalia to present himself for this solemn occasion, the nephew of his wife, Sir James Tyrrell, was busy plotting murder. Upon the death of Edward IV on April 9, 1483, the 12-year-old Edward became king and his uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was made protector of the realm. But he and his younger brother were caught in a conflict between Gloucester and his mother's nobles. The two princes were taken prisoners in the Tower of London. The young Edward was deposed by his Uncle Richard who was crowned Richard III. and some time after June 26, 1483, they disappeared. Skeletons found in the Tower in 1674 are thought to be those of Edward and his brother. And John Clopton never became a knight.

John died in 1497. The year before had seen his church completed, although the famous Lady Chapel was unfinished. He is buried along with his wife in a tomb located between the Chantry Chapel and the Chancel. The top of the tomb is now used as a credence table for Holy Communion services at the High Altar. An arch covers the space above it on which are frescoes of the family. There is also a picture painted on the underside of the arch of Jesus holding a cross saying "Everyone who lives and believes on me shall never die."

Based on:

Articles Originally Appearing in the August 1987, December 1989, and April 1990 Issues of the Clopton Family Newsletter
by Isabel Lancaster (Clopton) Steiner,
Jim McMillen, mcmillen@arlington.net
and Captain Franklin G. Babbitt;

The Ancestors and Descendants of William Clopton of York County, Virginia,
Compiled by Gene Carlton Clopton, Phoenix Printing, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia;

Long Melford Through The Ages,
by Barry L. Wall, East Anglian Magazine Ltd., Ipswich, Suffolk;

Text Submitted by:

Suellen Clopton Blanton, bblanton@fast.net

Picture Submitted by:

Jim McMillen, taken from an enhanced picture of John Clopton's likeness in stained glass at Holy Trinity Church in Long Melford.