ABSTRACT
John Petre was the eldest surviving son of Sir William Petre. Secretary of State from 1544 to 1557. 1 John was born at Ingatestone Hall on 20 December 1549. 2 His godmother was Lady Paget, whose husband was joint Secretary of State from 1544 to 1547. 3 John married Mary Waldegrave at Ingatestone on 17 April 1570, 4 and inherited the family estates when his father died on 13 January 1571/2. 5 He was knighted in 1576, represented Essex in Parliament in 1584–86, and was created Baron Petre of Writtle on 21 July 1603. 6 He died on 11 October 1613 and was buried at Ingatestone on 20 October. Much of the information bearing on his friendship with William Byrd has been published, 7 but a few additional remarks may prove useful.
