KENT, John II, of Bedford.

Bailiff, Bedford 1408; mayor 1414 – 15, 1416–17.Beds. RO, DDW 18, DDTW 11/254, 374. Kent should not be confused with a royal servant of the same name, who in 1409 shared in the fines due to the King for the escape of prisoners from Bedford gaol, and five years later obtained a pension chargeable to the issues of Beds. and Bucks., in consideration of his loyal service. Despite these strong local connexions, it is clear from the letters patent confirming the pension in 1444 that most of the recipient’s early life had been spent in France, although he may well have been related to the subject of this biography (CPR, 1408–13, p. 96; 1413–16, p. 235; 1441–6, p. 286; see also SC8/55/2701).