John Everard (MP)

Sir John Everard (c. 1550 – 1624) was an Irish barrister, politician and judge. He was notable as the last Irish judge until the reign of James II to openly profess the Roman Catholic faith. His religious beliefs eventually led to his enforced resignation from the Bench in 1607.

He then entered politics and was a member of the Irish Parliament of 1613–1615. The Catholic members elected him as speaker of the House of Commons and installed him in the speaker's chair, but due to the creation of new pocket boroughs by James I, the Protestants had the majority and elected Sir John Davies. Everard, in a farcical scene, initially refused to vacate the chair until he was literally sat upon, which caused him to fall into disgrace for a time, but he was later restored to royal favour. His second son Sir Richard Everard was created the first of the Everard baronets of Ballyboy.