Sir John Puckering

Sir John Puckering (1544 in Flamborough, Yorkshire – 30 April 1596) was a lawyer, politician, Speaker of the English House of Commons, and Lord Keeper from 1592 until his death.

Puckering was born in 1544 in Flamborough, East Riding of Yorkshire, and was the second son of William Puckering. He entered Lincoln's Inn on 10 April 1559 and he was called to the bar on 15 January 1567. After some years' practice, he became a governor in 1575, and in 1577 became an elected reader in Lent. He became a sergeant at law in 1580.

Puckering became a member of parliament in 1581. On 23 November 1585, Parliament met and elected Puckering, who was returned for Bedford, as Speaker of the House of Commons. During this Parliament, a bill against Jesuits was brought up for discussion. Dr William Parry, who was later executed for high treason, said the bill was "cruel, bloody and desperate". Puckering ordered him into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms for his use of language, and after some discussion, Parry apologised and retook his seat. Puckering's skill with dispute solving and speeches was recognised, and he was elected as the Speaker in the next parliament, which opened on 15 October 1586 when he represented Gatton, Surrey. This was the parliament that decided the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Puckering was heavily involved with the decision.

On 1 March 1587, shortly following Mary's execution, a member of parliament named Wentworth asked Puckering to answer some questions regarding the liberties of the House. Puckering refused, but showed one of the questions to Sir Thomas Heneage of the Privy Council. Wentworth, and four other members of parliament who seconded his motion were imprisoned in the Tower of London for an unknown length of time. The following year, Puckering was knighted and according to some sources was made Queen's Sergeant, though other sources claim he had been made sergeant two years before.

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