John More (judge)

Sir John More
Sir John More, aged 76, from "Study for a portrait of Thomas More's family", c. 1527, by Hans Holbein the Younger
Born	c.1451
Died	November 1530
Spouse(s)	Agnes Graunger Joan Marshall Joan Bowes Alice More
Children	Joanna More Sir Thomas More Agatha More John More Edward More Elizabeth More
Parent(s)	William More, Joanna Joye

Sir John More (c.1451–1530) was a London lawyer and later judge, notable for being the father of Thomas More, Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor.

More was the son of William More (d. 1467), a London baker, and Joanna Joye, daughter and heir of a London brewer, John Joye, and granddaughter and heir of a London Chancery clerk, John Leycester.

More entered Lincoln's Inn in either 1470 or 1475, was called to be a Serjeant-at-law in 1503, a Justice of Assize in 1513, a Justice of the Common Pleas in 1518, and finally to the King's Bench in 1520, where he remained until his death.

More inherited the manor of Gobions in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, and tenements in London, and purchased additional land in Hertfordshire. He was given permission to bear a coat of arms, during Edward IV's reign. He also helped to fund his son-in-law John Rastell's dismal attempt to reach and settle the New World in 1517, which got only as far as Waterford before the sailors abandoned Rastell and sold his cargo.

More made his will on 26 February 1527, naming his son, Sir Thomas More, as one of his executors and requesting burial in the church of St Lawrence Jewry. The will, proved 5 November 1530, included provision for prayers for the souls of family members and for the soul of King Edward IV.