John Markham

Sir John Markham, who died in 1479, was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench from his appointment on 13 May 1461, following the accession of Edward IV and replacing John Fortescue, until 23 January 1469, when he was succeeded by Thomas Billing. He gained a reputation for impartiality and became known as the upright judge, and his removal from office reportedly followed his direction to the jury in the 1468 treason trial of Sir Thomas Cooke to convict only of the lesser offense of misprision of treason. After leaving office he retired to Sedgebrook Hall in Lincolnshire, where he remained until his death.