Sir John Holland
Lived from 1352?-1400. Married Elizabeth daughter of John-of Gaunt
Five. children; Richard, John, Edward, Constance, and a second daughter whose name is unknown.
Sir John Holland was the second son of Sir Thomas Holland and Joan Fair Maid of Kent (Earl and Countess of Kent.) His mother Joan after his fathers death, married Edward of Woodstock (The Black Prince) which made John the half brother to Richard II.
In 1381 he was made Knight of the Garter. Also in that year he was made Justice of Chester. On the rising of the commons (peasant revolt) he was with the King at the tower but did not go out to Mile End.
In 1384 he was charged with cold blooded murder of a Carmelite friar in his detention. The King was soon convinced of his innocence.
During 1385 Sir John was undoubtedly guilty of a crime which illustrates the violence of his temper. An archer of Sir Hugh Stafford (Eldest son of the Earl of Stafford) quarreled with one of Sir John's Esquires. The archer then killed the Esquire which outraged Holland.
The evening after the event Sir Ralph rode to visit Holland in order to appease him for the outrage. At the same time Holland was riding out to demand an explanation from Sir Ralph. As they passed in the darkness Holland challenged the other rider to identify themselves, the reply was "Stafford"