John Fowke

John Fowke was an English merchant and politician who served as a Sheriff of London for 1644 and Lord Mayor of London for 1652. He was the Member of Parliament for City of London 1661 – 1662 and was Master of Haberdashers’ Company in 1642, 1652, and 1655.

Fowke was apprenticed to a London Haberdasher, but his chief interest was in the Mediterranean trade. However, he was Master of Haberdashers’ Company for three terms. He also had interest in trade with East Indies, as he was on the East India board.

Fowke was prominent in opposition to Charles I (r. 1625-1649). In 1627 he refused to pay tonnage and poundage, and his goods to the value of £5,827 were seized by the customs. He again refused to pay tonnage and poundage in 1629, but this time he was committed to the Fleet prison until he was able to produce £40,000 bail. He was again committed to the Fleet in 1645 for refusing to deliver his accounts as commissioner of customs on oath.

Nevertheless his prosperity increased, especially after his appointment as comptroller of bishops’ lands. In 1648 he bought the Gloucestershire bishop’s manors of Maysmore, Preston, Longford, and Ashleworth, and he acquired an estate in Essex.