John Hovyngham
John Hovyngham (died 1417), also written Honyngham or Ovyngham, was an English clergyman, notary, diplomat and Archdeacon of Durham. Education and early career Hovyngham studied at the University of Oxford, where he graduated as Bachelor of Civil Law before 1396. His parents – his father William and mother Joan – were buried in St Peter's, York. He was appointed by King Richard II in 1396 to the benefice of St Peter, Westcheap in the City of London, where in or before 1402 he was the recipient of a grant of land and property to the church for the maintenance of its perpetual chantry for the souls of Nicholas de Farndone and of the King. He obtained the degree of Doctor of Civil Law by 1406, when King Henry IV pardoned and approved a papal bull granting Hovyngham a canonry and prebend in each of the Cathedral churches of St Peter's, York and St Paul's, London, and a greater dignity in one or the other, provided that this did not extend to elective benefices. From 1405 he served on commissions to deliberate in important cases of appeal against judgements, particularly concerning maritime or Admiralty affairs, including the unjust capture of ships