By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P. 19 



PojTimgs, daughter and eventually coheir of Sir Thomas do 

 Po}Timgs, Lord St. John, in the reign of Edward III. In 1544, he 

 attended the King in his expedition to France and at the siege of 

 Boulogne, and having for many years served in the high offices of 

 Lord Treasurer, President of the Council, and Great Master of the 

 Household, he received the last proof of the confidence of the Sov- 

 ereign in the appointment to be one of his executors, to whom 

 during the minority of the young Prince Edward VI., the Govern- 

 ment of the Kingdom was to be entrusted. 



In that capacity Lord St. John joined in 1547 in the election of 

 the King's uncle the Earl of Hertford, (immediately created Duke 

 of Somerset), as Lord Protector. But two years later, acting as 

 Lord President, he took the lead in deposing the Duke from that 

 station, and was by the Council of Regency appointed Treasurer in 

 his stead. In the next year 1550, he was created Earl of Wilt- 

 shire, and was made Master of the Wards and Liveries, as well as 

 Lord Lieutenant of the County of Southampton in which his chief 

 estates lay, and especially the ancient seat of the St. Johns, Basing, 

 where the Lord Treasurer had erected a strong and stately mansion, 

 reported by Camden to have been the most magnificent possessed 

 at that time by any subject. In 1551, he was raised to the still 

 higher dignity of Marquis of Winchester. 



Under that title and exercising the office of High Steward, he 

 presided at the trial of his former friend Somerset, and sentenced 

 him to execution. He had the honour of sumptuously enter- 

 taining the young Sovereign both at Waltham and at Basing 

 House in the same year. 



It was generally said at the time that " this sagacious nobleman, 

 and his friend the Duke of Northumberland (Warwick), together 

 ruled the Court ; he by his counsel and wit, the Duke by his stout 

 courage and proudness of stomach."^ His counsel appears to have 

 been generally of that very prudent character, which keeps clear 

 of danger by taking always to the strongest side, and is ready to 



1 Strypc Index to Anuals. 



c 2 



