John Hele (died 1608)

[3] He built at Wembury one of the grandest manor houses ever seen in Devon, called by his near contemporary Risdon (died 1640): "A magnificent house, equalling, if not exceeding, all other in these western parts, for uniform building; a sightly seat for shew; for receipt spacious; for cost sumptuous; for sight salubrious".

[17] By his wife he had eight sons and two daughters[20] (whose kneeling effigies appear on the base of their father's monument in Wembury Church), including: Until about 1600 Hele had a high reputation, but then personal attacks on him started.

Through his making of loans, and actions in recovering them, he exposed himself to attacks from the circle of Sir Thomas Egerton, one of his debtors, whose clients ran a successful personal vendetta against him.

[2] In 1602 he went on circuit with Judge Francis Gawdy, making himself "odious and ridiculous", according to the gossip circulated by the letter-writer John Chamberlain.

[16] Cobham was then caught up in the Main Plot of 1603, and Hele was thought to have taken advantage of his legal position to exact repayment from him.

[16] He purchased the manor of Yealmpton[4] in Devon and from Sir Robert Prideaux (1550-post 1603)[25] the estate of Orcheton, Modbury.

[26] Hele died on 4 June 1608 and was buried in Wembury Church, where his monument survives, showing effigies of himself and his children, inscribed in Latin as follows:[19] His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 1 October 1608.