John Shillingford

John Shillingford (died 1458) of Exeter and Shillingford, Devon. Was an English politician, merchant and landowner, who served multiple terms as Mayor of Exeter. He played a significant role in the city's civic and legal affairs.

He was a Member of the Parliament of England (MP) for Exeter in December 1421, 1431 and 1433. He was mayor of Exeter 1428–30, 1444–5, 1446–8. In 1447, he was involved in fundraising efforts to repair the Old Exe Bridge in Exeter. He secured the promise of a contribution from John Kemp, the Archbishop of York, from the estate of the late Henry Beaufort but he died before the contribution was received.

Career Shillingford became a freeman of Exeter on 14 November 1418 and was active in civic affairs. He attended the 1417 shire elections at Exeter Castle and established himself as a merchant. In 1421, he served as the mainpernor for John Shapleigh II and his kinsman Roger Shillingford, who were elected to Parliament, though records indicate that he was the one reimbursed for attending the Commons. On 1 December 1421, he was formally appointed as a constable of the local Staple by the Crown.

Recognized for his administrative abilities, Shillingford was appointed a feoffee for the foundation of almshouses in Exeter and served as an executor of the will of William Wynard, the city recorder, alongside Chief Justice John Fortescue. He was also frequently sent on business to London.

Shillingford served as Mayor of Exeter multiple times, including in 1444, when he initially resisted the appointment but was compelled to accept the role by a writ under the privy seal, facing a fine of £1,000 if he refused. According to the historian John Hooker, he ultimately performed his duties well.

Shillingford was not part of the main line of the family but eventually inherited the Shillingford estates. In 1428, he had shared with his 'cosyn' William Shillingford a quarter of a knight’s fee in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, but it was William alone who then had possession of the family estates in Shillingford, ‘Stapilhull’ and Farringdon, along with the advowsons of Shillingford and St. Mary Steps, Exeter inheriting them in the 1430s from William and were later estimated it to be worth £26 13s.4d. or £33 6s.8d. (approximately ) per annum. Before this inheritance, he resided in Exeter, leasing properties in Gandy Street and High Street and renting towers at the South Gate along with gardens near Southernhay Weir. In 1448, he was involved in a land conveyance in Duryard valued at £20 per year.