John Astley (Master of the Revels)

Sir John Astley (or Ashley) (c.1569 – 26 January 1640) was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1614 and became Master of the Revels.

He was a gentleman pensioner under Queen Elizabeth and her successor James I until about 1612, while in the meantime he succeeded to his father's estates at Maidstone in 1596.

He was deputy Master of the Revels and was commissioned on 6 May 1622 to take up embroiderers, tailors and other artificers for the King's service.

On 22 May 1622 he succeeded Sir George Buck, who had gone mad, as Master of the Revels but sold his interest to Henry Herbert by August 1623.

[1][3] Their children, three sons and a daughter, all died during the lifetime of their father, who was succeeded in his estates by his kinsman Sir Jacob Astley.