John Croke

His father, also named John, was a knight and a member of Parliament representing the borough of Southampton in 1571, followed by another stint for the county of Buckinghamshire.

[7] In 1602, Croke was involved in a divisive witchcraft case of the era, in which he performed a series of a tests on the 14-year-old accuser, Mary Glover, and the defendant, Elizabeth Jackson; he came to the conclusion that Glover was bewitched after witnessing her reaction to a disguised Jackson, and her unresponsiveness to heat, which left visible burns.

The evidence obtained was used in trial, though Sir Edmund Anderson was principal judge; Jackson was convicted to one year's imprisonment, but was released early.

Manning, in his work on the Commons' speakers, repeats the recommendation given by William Knolles, Comptroller of the Household, for Croke to hold the office: Mr. John Croke, Recorder of London, and returned one of the knights of the city of London, was a very fit, able, and sufficient man to supply the whole charge of the said office of Speaker, being a gentlemen very religious, very judicious; of good conscience, and well furnished with all other parts.One early incident in Croke's tenure saw him come to the defence of a Member's right to be heard, after Serjeant Heale met with much disapprobation and mocking for defending Elizabeth's access to grants in the strongest terms – "Yea, she hath as much right to all our lands and goods as to any revenue of the crown.

"[6] Manning relates how, in his short time as Speaker, he was able to influence Elizabeth to support a bill against the granting of monopolies entitled, "An Act for the explanation of the common law in certain letters patent".

This, and similar pieces of legislation, were seen to overstep the Crown's prerogative, and Elizabeth, opposed to their fragmentation or suspension, was against the bill, though ignorant of the abuses that monopolies had brought.

However, the day after this had been announced, Croke, in his capacity as Speaker, arose from his chair and informed the House of a meeting he had been called to with Elizabeth, in which she told of her desire to "defend her people from all oppressions" after having seen evidence of abuses.

The committee of the House was adopted, and a motion was passed asking for an address by the Speaker expressing their gratitude, which Croke duly delivered.

[4] On a bill for "resorting to Church" (to compel attendance) which received 105 "ayes" and 106 "nays", Sir Edward Hobbie, who was of the former, claimed the Speaker's vote.

"[6] Croke was responsible for the introduction of more stringent measures over what MPs could bring to parliament, as he prohibited the wearing of spurs, and sought to impose similar restrictions on carrying rapiers.