John Bankes (died 1714)

John Bankes (1665 – 14 July 1714) was a British Tory politician, who served as Member of Parliament for Corfe Castle.

[1] In 1691, Bankes married Margaret, daughter of Sir Henry Parker Bt MP.

[1] Bankes first stood at Corfe Castle – a family seat, which his father had previously represented – in the 1698 general election.

The election was contested, and Bankes survived a petition from the losing candidate for voting irregularities.

[1] On 14 July 1714, Bankes was attempting to lift a blunderbuss hanging on his bedroom wall at Kingston Lacy when it discharged, shooting him fatally through the head.