Sir John Pakington

Sir John Pakington (1549 – 18 January 1625) of Aylesbury was a courtier in the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. He was a favourite of Elizabeth's who nicknamed him "Lusty Pakington" for his physique and sporting abilities. Away from court he held a number of official positions including Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1595 and in 1607. Biography John Pakington was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Pakington (died 2 June 1571) of Hampton Lovett, Worcestershire, and Dorothy (1531–1577), the daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave Hall, Suffolk, by his second wife, Margaret Donnington. John was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, was graduated B.A. on 13 December 1569, and was a student of Lincoln's Inn in 1570. Pakington attracted the notice of Queen Elizabeth in her progress to Worcester in August 1570, when she invited him to court. In London, he lived for a few years in great splendour, and outran his fortune. He was remarkable both for his wit and the beauty of his person. The Queen, who took great pleasure in his athletic achievements, nicknamed him "Lusty Pakington". It is said that he once laid a wager with three other courtiers to swim from the Palace of Westminster to London Bridge, but the Queen forbade the match. From 1587 to 1601, Pakington was deputy-lieutenant for Worcester. In 1587, he was knighted. In 1593, he was granted by the crown a patent for starch.