John de Vere
1482 – 1540
Vitals
Family
About
John de Vere, fifteenth Earl of Oxford, succeeded to the earldom in 1526 as second cousin and heir male of the fourteenth Earl, being then about forty-four. He had served Henry the Seventh and was an Esquire for the Body at that king's funeral in 1509, and he was knighted after service in France. His second son Aubrey is this family's ancestor, and Aubrey's own male line would in time inherit the earldom.
Research notes
✓ DOCUMENTED (Visitation of Essex De Vere pedigree p.47; CP vol. X p.245 section XV, photographed 22 Jul 2026 - "2nd cousin and h. male" of the 14th Earl, suc. 1526; age "given as 44 in 1526" = b. ~1482; in Henry VII's service 1507, an Esquire for the Body at his funeral 11 May 1509, knighted after service in France): JOHN DE VERE, 15TH EARL OF OXFORD (c.1482-1540), Lord Great Chamberlain; m. ELIZABETH TRUSSELL, dau. and heiress of Sir Edward Trussell. Children per the visitation: John 16th Earl, AUBREY (2nd son - our line per the visitation), Geffrey (3rd son - father of the "Fighting Veres", Sir Francis and Sir Horace Vere), Anne, Elizabeth (m. Lord Darcy of Chiche), Frances. THE DE VERE PEDIGREE ABOVE HIM is among the most celebrated in England - Earls of Oxford from 1141, and by tradition to Aubrey de Vere the Domesday tenant-in-chief of 1086 - recorded here as the printed pedigree, NOT entered as individuals (Complete Peerage vol. X is the authority; extendable). Direct ancestor - Jane's filiation to his son Aubrey now ✓ DUAL-SOURCED (heralds' De Vere pedigree + the 16th Earl's PCC will PROB 11/46/247 naming "my brother Awbrey Veer" and his daughter Jane, 1562/3). The Oxford descent stands documented at every rung from him to Aynsley; only Jane's mother's identity remains ~. Added 21 Jul 2026; proven 22 Jul 2026.