Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Norton, John (d.1534)
NORTON, Sir JOHN (d. 1534), soldier, was eldest son of Reginald Norton of Sheldwich, by Catherine, daughter of Richard Dryland. He was a brave and adventurous captain, and on 11 July 1511 sailed with Sir Edward Poynings and fifteen hundred men from Sandwich, going into the Low Countries to aid Margaret of Savoy against the Duke of Guelders. In Guelderland they ‘conquered a little towne or twayne,’ but failed to take Venloo. According to Hall, Norton distinguished himself in this expedition. Henry VIII soon recalled the little force, and Margaret gave all the men before they returned coats of colours which combined her livery with that of Henry. Young Charles (afterwards the Emperor Charles V) knighted several of the captains, and among them Norton. They reached Calais on their homeward journey on 25 Nov. 1511. In 1522 Norton was sheriff of Kent, and in 1514 sheriff of Yorkshire. He held the office of knight of the body to Henry VIII. He went to France in 1514, and again in 1532. In 1532 he was a commissioner to protect the coast, and in 1525 he took part in the great funeral of Sir Thomas Lovell. In 1526 the king gave him a lease of lands in the Isle of Thanet. He was often in the commission of the peace. He died 8 Feb. 1533–4, and was buried in the Northwood chancel of Milton Church in Kent (‘Letters and Papers, Henry VIII,’ v. 812, seems misdated).
Norton married one of the two coheiresses of Roger de Northwood of Northwood in Milton, and left a son John, who was knighted on 22 Feb. 1546–7, was present at Henry VIII's funeral, and in 1551 went on an embassy to France. He married Alice, daughter of Edward Cobb of Cobb's Place, Kent, and left a son Thomas (Metcalfe, Knights, p. 94; Strype, Memorials, ii. i. 9, 507, ii. 328; Berry, Kent Geneal. p. 158). Sir John also left a daughter Frideswide, who married William, son of Sir John Fyneux [q. v.], lord chief justice.
[Letters and Papers, Hen. VIII, 1509–34; Hasted's Kent, vol. i. p. xc, vol. ii. pp. 625–6; Hall's Chron. pp. 523–4; Chron. of Calais (Camd. Soc.), p. 8; Wriothesley's Chron. (Camd. Soc.) ii. 111.]