John Bowes (c. 1383c. 1444) was

Speaker Speaker most commonly refers to: * Speaker, a person who produces speech * Loudspeaker, a device that produces sound ** Computer speakers Speaker, Speakers, or The Speaker may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * "Speaker" (song), by David ...

of the

House of Commons of England The House of Commons of England was the lower house of the Parliament of England (which Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542, incorporated Wales) from its development in the 14th century to the union of England and Scotland in 1707, when it was re ...

between October 1435 and December 1435. He was the son of John Bowes of Costock,

Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire (; abbreviated ''Notts.'') is a ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. The county is bordered by South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west. Th ...

but raised as the ward of Sir Thomas Rempstone. He was trained as a lawyer and practised law in Nottinghamshire. In 1428 he was appointed Escheator for Nottinghamshire and

Derbyshire Derbyshire ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It borders Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire to the north, Nottinghamshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south-east, Staffordshire to the south a ...

. In 1429, 1432, 1435 and 1439 he was elected

knight of the shire Knight of the shire () was the formal title for a member of parliament (MP) representing a county constituency in the British House of Commons, from its origins in the medieval Parliament of England until the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 ...

(MP) for

, being elected Speaker of the House in October 1435. Thereafter he returned to the law and was appointed

Recorder of London The recorder of London is an ancient legal office in the City of London. The recorder of London is the senior circuit judge at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), hearing trials of criminal offences. The recorder is appointed by the Cr ...

, serving as the MP for the

city of London The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

in 1442. He died some time in 1444 and, Bowes having no children, his estate passed to his brother William.

References

1380s births 1440s deaths Year of birth uncertain Year of death uncertain People from Rushcliffe (district) Speakers of the House of Commons of England English lawyers English MPs 1429 English MPs 1432 English MPs 1435 English MPs 1439 English MPs 1442 Recorders of London {{15thC-England-MP-stub