John Harington (died 1553)
Sir John Harington of Exton, Rutland was an English politician.
He was the eldest son of Sir John Harington of Exton, who he succeeded in 1524. He was a Justice of the Peace for Rutland and Lincolnshire and held a number of other positions such as Bailiff of Leicester and Esquire of the Body.
He served as High Sheriff of Rutland for 1520–1, 1533–4, 1540–1 and from 1552 to his death, for Warwickshire and Leicestershire for 1532–3 and for Lincolnshire for 1537–8.
He was elected a Member of the Parliament of England for Rutland in 1529, 1539 and 1542. He was knighted in 1542 and became treasurer to Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland, during the expedition to Scotland.
Harington continued in his capacity as Treasurer for many years. Notably in 1543-44 when he was treasurer to Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, Henry VIII's lieutenant in the North. He was also involved in the campaign in France from 1544, where he was vice-treasurer of the armed forces. Upon returning from France in 1547, he served Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland.
In later years Harington's credibility came under scrutiny, when his servant, John Bradford, resigned his post over monies allegedly defrauded from the King. The precise nature of these irregularities has never been fully ascertained.
He died in London in 1553 and was carried back to Rutland for burial. He had married Elizabeth, the daughter and heiress of Robert Moton of Peckleton, Leicestershire. He had five sons, two of whom were MPs: Edward, MP for Fowey, and James, who represented Rutland. He also had 4 daughters.
