Introduction
Sir James Harington (c.1511 – 1592) was a 16th-century English public servant who fulfilled a number of legal, legislative and law enforcement duties and was knighted in 1565.
Public career
James Harington's legal career began at a young age when he was called to the Inner Temple in 1536. He served as Justice of the Peace in Kesteven, Lincolnshire in 1547, and in Rutland he became sheriff in 1553 and Justice of the Peace circa 1559. He continued to fulfill the duties of sheriff in 1560-61 and, following his knighthood in June 1565, returned to those duties in 1566-67, 1578–79 and, near the end of his life, in 1586-87. Additionally, by 1569, he served as Rutland Commissioner Musters.
He was elected as Knight of the Shire (M.P.) for Rutland in seven Parliamentary elections between 1554 and 1589.
Parentage, marriage and descendants
Sir James Harington was the son of John Harington (died 1554) and Elizabeth Moton. In 1539 he married Lucy, the daughter of Sir William Sidney of Penshurst, Kent. Their children were:
- John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton (1539–1613)
- Sir Henry Harington of Wicklow
- Sir James Harrington, 1st Baronet (1542-1614)
- Mabel Harington, married Sir Andrew Noel
- Sarah Harington, married Francis Hastings, Baron Hastings & Edward la Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche
- Elizabeth Harington, married Sir Edward Montague
- Theodosia Harington, married Edward Sutton, 5th Baron Dudley
- Margaret Harington
- Frances Harington, married Sir William Leigh of Newnham Regis
- Catherine Harington, married Sir Edward Dymoke
- Mary Harington, married Sir Edward Wingfield