John Pettus (courtier)

[1] Pettus was an expert on metallurgy and became a deputy governor of the royal mines in England and Wales under Charles I and II.

[3] He entered the service of Charles I in 1639, and was knighted on 25 November 1641, as a mark of the king's favour to Sir Richard Gurney, his father-in-law.

Taken prisoner during the First English Civil War by Oliver Cromwell at Lowestoft, he was exchanged after 14 months' confinement in Windsor Castle.

He was confined by John Bradshaw for corresponding with the young king Charles, but after examination by the Council of State he was set free on bail of £4,000.

[2] Originally wealthy, Pettus had purchased Cheston Hall, Suffolk, and other estates, but in later life was imprisoned for debt.

In July 1679 he wrote to William Sancroft from the King's Bench Prison, begging for a loan to set him free, and in 1683 he was said to be without financial resources.

In defence of his conduct he published A Narrative of the Excommunication of Sir J. Pettus, of the County of Suffolk ... obtained against him by his lady, a Roman Catholic ... with his ...