James Strangeways

Sir James Strangeways (died c. 1480) was Speaker of the House of Commons of England between 1461–1462.

He was the son of Sir James Strangeways of Whorlton, Yorkshire appointed judge of the common pleas in 1426by his wife Joan, daughter of Nicholas Orrell.

A Yorkist, he fought at the 1st battle of St Albans in 1455, Blore Heath in 1459, Wakefield in 1460, (when he was reported as killed) and Towton in 1461.

He was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1446, 1453, and 1469 and was returned for the county to the parliaments of 1449 and 1460.

He was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons in the first parliament of Edward IV, which met in November 1461. For the first time in English history the speaker addressed the king, immediately after his presentation and allowance, in a long speech reviewing the state of affairs and recapitulating the history of the civil war. The parliament transacted hardly any business other than numerous acts of attainder against Lancastrians. It was prorogued to 6 May 1462, and then dissolved. Strangeways then served on various commissions for the defence of the kingdom and suppression of rebellions, and sat regularly on the commissions of the peace for the North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.

He died in 1480 (or 1516), and was buried in the abbey church of St. Mary Overy's, Southwark. He had married twice; firstly Elizabeth Darcy, (daughter of Sir Philip Darcy, 6th Baron Darcy of Knayth), with whom he had at least 11 childrenincluding Robert Strangewayswhose daughter, Joan Strangeways, married Christopher Boynton, son of Sir Christopher Boynton (died 1452) of Sedbury(buried at St Mary's Church, South Cowton).

James Strangeways married secondly Elizabeth Eure.

His grandson, also Sir James Strangeways and often confused with his grandfather, was also High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1492 and 1508.