Sir John Gates KB[1] (1504–1553)[2] was an English courtier, soldier and politician, holding influential household positions in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI.
As one of the Chief Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber under Edward VI, he became a follower of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and was a principal participant in the attempt to establish Lady Jane Grey on the English throne.
Originating from an ancient Essex gentry family going back to King Edward III, John Gates had a thorough training as a lawyer at Lincoln's Inn.
John Gates was deeply involved in the succession crisis of 1553, and Lady Jane Grey claimed that he had confessed to have been the first to have induced King Edward to name her his successor.
[13] Notwithstanding Gates' commitment to Edward's will,[14] his putative role in its conception has been questioned by Narasingha P. Sil on the grounds that he probably was not as close to the young King as traditionally believed.
According to one chronicle the following scene had taken place shortly before at the Lieutenant of the Tower's garden gate: "Sir John," sayeth the duke, "God have mercy upon us, for this day shall end both our lives.