Astley, John (1507? – 1595?)

« John Astley (c.1507-1596) was the eldest son of Thomas Astley of Hill Morton and Melton Constable, Norfolk. His father was a Gentleman Pensioner, one of the ultra-elite royal bodyguards established by Henry VIII who were specifically charged with the breeding of war-horses and the cultivation of horsemanship in England. John may have attended Jesus College, Cambridge, but probably went to Court when he was about twelve. His mother’s sister, Lady Elizabeth Boleyn, was aunt to Ann Boleyn (royal mistress then queen and mother of Elizabeth I). Nothing is known of his early years but he must have learned his horsemanship and mastered Italian : possibly he travelled and fought abroad. His first recorded office was as a gentleman waiter in the household of Edward Prince of Wales from 1543, but he moved to the household of his cousin, Princess Elizabeth, very quickly, probably by 1544. In 1547 he was elected Member of Parliament for Chippenham, Cambridgeshire. »Dejager (2014)

– The Art of Riding, set foorthe in a breefe treatise, with a due interpretation of certeine places alledged out of Xenophon and Gryson, verie expert and excellent Horssemen : Wherein also the true vse of the hand by the said Grysons rules and precepts is speciallie touched: and how the Author of this present worke hath put the same in practice, also what profit men maie reape thereby : without the knowledge whereof all the residue of the order of Riding is but vaine. Lastlie, is added a short discourse of the Chaine or Cauezzan, the Trench, and the Martingale. Written by a Gentleman of Great Skill and Long Experience in the Said Art. Imprinted at London, By Henrie Denham, 1584.