Forester of Crowdecote, Derbys. for John, duke of Lancaster, Jan. 1365 – d.; bailiff of the duchy of Lancaster lordship of the High Peak 14 Nov. 1379-aft. 5 Feb. 1382; surveyor of the lordship and chase of the High Peak 15 Sept. 1380; steward of the High Peak 20 Sept. 1382–91.
Assessor of a tax, Derbys. May 1379.
Commr. to suppress the insurgents, Derbys. Dec. 1381, Mar., Dec. 1382; of oyer and terminer, Notts. Mar. 1386 (disorder at Worksop); to make arrests, Derbys. Nov. 1391; of array Mar. 1392; inquiry Staffs. Feb. 1395 (complaints by the abbot of Dieulacres), Derbys., Staffs. May 1395 (illegal use of hunting dogs).
J.p. Derbys. 23 Jan. 1384 – Apr. 1386, 6 Dec. 1387-Jan. 1397.
It is important to distinguish this MP from two other contemporaries and namesakes . Comparatively little confusion exists between him and Sir John de la Pole of Cheshire (b.c.1353), a retainer of Richard II (Scrope v. Grosvenor, i. 83, 361; ii. 269; DKR, xxxvi. 385-6); but his career was in many ways similar to that of his kinsman, the distinguished lawyer, Sir John de la Pole* of Newborough, Staffs. (d.c.1390), father of Peter de la Pole*. This biography is based solely upon specific references to John de la Pole of Hartington, on the assumption that others probably concern the more eminent of the two men.
POLE, Sir John de la (-d. c.1397)