John Hastings

Also known as: Iohn Hastings / Iohn Hastings knight / dominus Iohannes de Hastings · Family: Hastings · Role: heir and king's ward · First appears: Richard II 47

John Hastings, also known as Iohn Hastings, Iohn Hastings knight, and dominus Iohannes de Hastings, was born at Asleghe in 1262, the son and heir of Henry Hastings (younger) and Joan Cantilupe. His siblings were Edmund Hastings, Ada Hastings (daughter), Lora Hastings, and Joan Hastings. After his father’s death, he was Edward I’s ward and in 1274 demanded “the execution of his office of the pantrie.”

In 1305, Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham, John Balliol, and Robert Bruce were involved with him in a contention over disputed manors; after the suit was revived, Edward I seized them and held them throughout his reign. Henry, King of Scots died seized of lands connected with Robert Bruce, John Balliol, and John Hastings, whose heir they were. John later married Philip Mortimer, the daughter of Edmund Mortimer, and was ward first to Edward III and then to Richard II.

At Edward II and Isabella of France’s coronation at Westminster, he obtained the office of pantler. He had by his second wife, Anne Manny, a son called John Hastings, Earl of Pembroke, who succeeded to his inheritances; Margaret Segrave was his grandmother and executrix. In the Christmas season at Woodstoke in Oxfordshire, John met John Saint John, Lord Saint John in a joust and was killed when they ran together.