Sir John Gage

Garter-encircled arms of Sir John Gage, KG: Quarterly 1st and 4th Per saltire Azure and Argent a saltire Gules for Gage; 2nd and 3rd Azure a sun in its splendour Or for St Clere.

Sir John Gage (28 October 1479 – 18 April 1556) was an English courtier during the Tudor period. He held a number of offices, including Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1542–1547), Comptroller of the Household (1540–1547), Constable of the Tower (1540–1556) and Lord Chamberlain (1553–1556).

Early life and family John Gage was born on 28 October 1479 at Burstow manor in Surrey and baptized at the parish church there on the same day. He was the only son of William Gage and Agnes Bolney.

He married Philippa Guildford, daughter of Sir Richard Guildford, on 14 April 1502. They were the parents of eight children: Sir Edward Gage - married Elizabeth, daughter of John Parker and also Joan, daughter of Sir Richard Sackville. James Gage - married Jane, daughter of James Delves and widow of John Bellingham. Robert Gage - married Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Wilford. William Gage - died without issue. Alice Gage – married Sir Anthony Browne Jr. Ann Gage – married John Thatcher. Elizabeth Gage (d.1558) – married Sir John Jenyns (d.1547), a courtier who served as Master of the Office of Ordnance for Boulogne. Cicily Gage - married Sir George Baynham.

Career An Esquire of the Body to both Henry VII and Henry VIII, he served offices in the Pale of Calais, becoming Comptroller in 1524. After receiving a knighthood in 1525, he moved to the post of Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1526, leaving court in 1533. He also represented Sussex three times (1529, 1539 and 1542) in the parliaments of Henry VIII.

In 1541 he became a Knight of the Garter and in 1542 he succeeded as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Death

Gage died at his house, Firle Place, on 18 April 1556, and was buried on 25 April at the Church of St Peter in Firle next to his wife. Their alabaster altar tomb in the north chapel of that church is the work of Gerard Johnson the elder (1541–1611) and, along with monuments for some other members of their family, was erected in about 1595.

His will, made on 20 February 1555/6, was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 10 June 1556. A lengthy and detailed household inventory was added as a schedule to the will and points to the wealth and lifestyle that Sir John enjoyed. An introduction and transcription of the inventory has been published.