John was born and died at Southwick, Northamptonshire. A child of the same name is mentioned baptised at Haynton, (Hainton), Lincolnshire in 1328.

Alienora (Eleanor) was born in 1325, at Great Weldon, Northampton, and died in 1389, in Essex. She married Sir John abt 1347.

John was the first member of the family to achieve distinction in the eyes of the general public. He was called to the degree of Sergeant-at-law in 1357, became Justice of the Common Pleas in 1361, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1365. Seven Years later he was rewarded by his appointment to the Lord Chancellorship, the highest office in the land. He remained in office until January 11, 1377, when he retired due to the strain and anxiety that the political situation, at the time, put on his health.