John Cokayne

Sir John Cokayne (died 1429), often written Cockayne, was an English judge and administrator from Derbyshire, the uncle of John Cokayne (died 1438).

Origins Born about 1360, he was the younger son of John Cokayne (died 1372), of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, Chief Steward for the northern half of the Duchy of Lancaster, and his wife Cecily, daughter of Sir William Vernon, of Haddon and Harlaston, and his wife Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Stopford. After 1372 she married Robert Ireton, of Kirk Ireton. His elder brother Edmund (died 1403) was heir to the family lands and John entered the law.

Career By 1394 he had become Recorder of London, holding the post until 1398, and in 1396 was made a serjeant-at-law. From 1398 to 1400 he followed his father as Chief Steward of the Duchy north of the Trent, an appointment by John of Gaunt who named Cokayne as one of the executors of his will.

He made his will on 10 February 1428, asking to be buried beside his wife in the church of St John at Bury Hatley, and died on 22 May 1429, His monument in the church has since been destroyed.

Landholdings The proceeds of his judicial offices allowed him to acquire country estates, first buying land at Bearwardcote in Derbyshire and then a life interest in manors at St Ippolyts and Radwell in Hertfordshire. but she was a sister.