John Folville

Sir John Folville
John Folville Arms: party per fess, argent & or, a cross moline gules
Knight of the Shire for Rutland & Leicestershire
MP for Rutland
In office 1298, 1301 – 1301
Monarch	Edward I
MP for Leicestershire
In office March 1300 – May 1306
Monarch	Edward I
Personal details
Died	1310
Spouse(s)	Alice
Parents	Eustace Folville (d.1274)

Sir John Folville was an MP for Rutland and Leicestershire and father of Eustace Folville the leader of the Folville Gang.

The Folvilles had their seat at Ashby Folville, Leicestershire since at least 1137 when its lordship was held by Fulk de Folville. The family name, ultimately derived from Folleville in the French region of Picardy, is attached to several other sites in Leicestershire, such as the deserted village of Newbolt Folville.

They seem to have gained most their estate at the beginning of the 12th century. Several of their possessions, such as Ashby and the manor at Teigh, were in the hands of other parties at the time of the Domesday survey, but had passed to the Folvilles by the reign of Stephen (1135-1154). The family were certainly well-established in Leicestershire by the mid 13th century. In 1240 a member of the family donated a large sum to the church at Cranoe.

The Folvilles were rebels during both Barons Wars; Sir William Folville (d.abt.1240) had his lands seized for his part in the First Barons' War in 1216 and Sir Eustace Folville (murdered in 1274) was one of the knights appointed to enforce the Provisions of Oxford in 1258 and stoutly defended Kenilworth Castle after the Battle of Evesham in 1265.

John was summoned with horses and arms to a Military Council before the King's teenage son and Lieutenant of England held at Rochester, Kent in September 1297, a few days before the English defeat at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. John was ordered to muster at Newcastle Upon Tyne for service against the Scots in December.King Edward soon returned from his expedition to Flanders and took charge of matters in Scotland and gained revenge at the Battle of Falkirk the next summer.