John Suckling

Who was John Suckling?

Sir John Suckling was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1601 and 1626.

Suckling was the son of Robert Suckling, mayor and MP of Norwich, and his wife Elizabeth Barwick, daughter of William Barwick. He entered Gray's Inn on 22 May 1590. He was elected Member of Parliament for Dunwich in 1601.

In 1602 he was acting as secretary to the lord treasurer, Sir Robert Cecil, and in December 1604 he became receiver of fines on alienations, in succession to Sir Arthur Aty. In 1614 he was elected MP for Reigate. He was knighted by James I at Theobalds on 22 January 1616. In February 1619 he became a Master of Requests, and in 1622 he was appointed comptroller of the royal household, "paying well for the post." Suckling had become wealthy and accumulated manors, fee-farms, and advowsons in various parts of the country. In September 1621 he was mentioned as Weston's most serious competitor for the chancellorship of the exchequer and in March 1622 he was promoted to be secretary of state. Charles I, upon his accession three years later, created him a privy councillor.