John Roper, 1st Baron Teynham


John Roper was an English nobleman who was created the first Baron Teynham in 1616.

Early life

John Roper was the eldest son of Christopher Roper, of Lynsted, Kent, and his wife Elizabeth Blore. The Ropers were an old Kentish family with strong Catholic connections. His uncle's wife, Margaret Roper, was the daughter of Sir Thomas More.

Later life and peerage

John succeeded to his father's manor of Badmangore on the latter's death. In 1599, he had a new manorial seat, Lynsted Lodge, built at Lynsted. Upon the accession of James I, John was the first notable in the county to proclaim the new king, for which service he was knighted in 1616 and raised to the peerage as Lord Teynham on the same day. His contribution of £10,000 to the new king's coffers may also have played a role in his elevation to the nobility. According to Gardiner, however, Roper's ennoblement was not any sort of sign of gratitude from the king; rather, it was granted as a way to induce Roper to relinquish an office he held in the King's Bench. King James hoped to grant the office to his grasping favorite, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, and viewed Roper as an obstacle to the plan.

Marriage and family

He firstly married Elizabeth Parke, daughter of Richard Parke of Malmaine. They had three children, including;
John Roper's first wife Elizabeth died in 1567, long before her husband became a peer; he married a second time to Elizabeth Dyon some time between 24 September 1583 and 4 April 1584. His second wife also predeceased him, dying prior to 22 September 1593; they had no children.

Death

John Roper died in 1618, and was succeeded in his title by his son Christopher. He was buried in the south chancel of the church at Lynsted Lodge.