Gentleman Porter to King James the First. John Trehearne is not recorded much in history, but some things about him can be inferred from his position, his family’s treatment after death, and his will. He was apparently a much-respected servant of King James I. The role of Gentleman Porter to the King was one of great responsibility and honor. It meant that he kept the ‘keys of the castle’ and was responsible for opening and closing the gates and for the safe passage of all those that passed through. There used to be a gravestone under his burial monument that noted that John had served Queen Elizabeth and then King James, but it was removed sometime in the last 200 years. His wife and son, who died before him, are buried with him there; his son also served King James. He did not sign his will but left his mark; he may have been too ill to sign it, or illiterate. He was described as a freeman of the Company of Clothworkers. He owned at least three properties with houses, leased another, and jointly held yet another, so he was probably quite well rewarded for his position. He left bequests to a servant, a friend, and a neighbor, to his children that survived him, to the poor near his home, and to the church.
Gentleman Porter to King James the First. John Trehearne is not recorded much in history, but some things about him can be inferred from his position, his family’s treatment after death, and his will. He was apparently a much-respected servant of King James I. The role of Gentleman Porter to the King was one of great responsibility and honor. It meant that he kept the ‘keys of the castle’ and was responsible for opening and closing the gates and for the safe passage of all those that passed through. There used to be a gravestone under his burial monument that noted that John had served Queen Elizabeth and then King James, but it was removed sometime in the last 200 years. His wife and son, who died before him, are buried with him there; his son also served King James. He did not sign his will but left his mark; he may have been too ill to sign it, or illiterate. He was described as a freeman of the Company of Clothworkers. He owned at least three properties with houses, leased another, and jointly held yet another, so he was probably quite well rewarded for his position. He left bequests to a servant, a friend, and a neighbor, to his children that survived him, to the poor near his home, and to the church.
Bio by: Pete Mohney
Inscription
AN EPITAPH UPON JOHN TREHEARNE
GENTLEMAN PORTAR TO KING
JAMES THE FIRST
HAD KINGS A POWER TO LEND THEIR SUBJECTS BREATH
TREHEARNE THOU SHOULD'ST NOT BE CAST DOWN BY DEATH
THY ROYAL MASTER STILL WOULD KEEP THEE THEN
BUT LENGTH OF DAYS ARE BEYOND REACH OF MEN
NOR WEALTH, NOR STRENGTH OR GREATMEN'S LOVE CAN EASE
THE WOUND DEATH'S ARROWS MAKE FOR THOU HAST THESE
IN THY KING'S COURT GOOD PLACE TO THEE IS GIVEN
WHENCE THOU SHALT GO TO E/Y KINGS COURT OF HEAVEN
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