John Dinham

Sir John Dinham (or Dynham) (1406–1458) was a knight from Devonshire, England. His principal seats were at Nutwell and Kingskerswell in South Devon and Hartland in North Devon.

Origins He was the son and heir of Sir John Dinham (1359–1428) by his third wife Philippa Lovel, daughter of Sir John Lovel of Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire and Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire (d. 19 October 1414) and had been at Nutwell since about 1122 and were one of the leading gentry families in Devon. They founded Hartland Abbey in 1169 on their manor of Hartland.

Career He was knighted at some time before 1 May 1430, at the age of 24. In 1431 he was in France with King Henry VI. In 1444 he is recorded as having been accused by the Abbot of Hartland Abbey of having broken into the Abbot's close and houses at Stoke St Nectan (next to Hartland Abbey), and having stolen his horses, sheep and cattle. A similar accusation had been made by the abbot against his father in 1397.

Lands held Dynham's landholdings in several counties included the following estates or manors: Nutwell, Kingskerswell and Hartland in Devon; Buckland Dinham in Somerset and Cardinham in Cornwall.

Marriage and children

At some date before 12 July 1434, aged 28, he married Joan Arches (died 1497) Gules, four fusils in fess ermine. His children by Joan included: John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham (1433–1501), KG, Lord Treasurer of England. Joan Dynham, wife of John la Zouche, 7th Baron Zouche, 8th Baron St Maur. Margaret Dynham (died 13 December 1470), wife of Sir Nicholas Carew (died 6 December 1470) and was buried in the Blackfriars, Exeter. Separate Inquisitions post mortem were held concerning his landholdings in the counties of Hampshire, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. His heir was his son John Dynham, 1st Baron Dynham (c. 1433 – 1501).