My Family Tree

He was Cup and Standard Bearer to King Edward IV. Prince, in his
“ Worthies of Devom" says:

"As to Sir John Croker, what brought him first into favour at court, whether courage and skill in arms, or readiness of address, or what else, I do not find, but he became so gracious with King Edward IV., that he was admitted his sworn servant in the honourable office of cupbearer, who, in remnneratione servitii, gave a cup d'or, having in the centre a rose, p.p.r. for the crest unto his coat armour, and moreover, bestowed upon him the honour of knighthood.”

This crest was further augmented, in 1475, by Louis XI. of France, with three fleurs-de-lis, p.p.r., on the occasion of Sir John accompanying his master into France.

"The addition of the fleurs-de-lis," says Burke, in his "History of the Commoners" (article Croker), " was one of those attentions on the part of the French monarch, Louis XI., by which he sought to flatter the vanity and gain the goodwill of the English gentry."
"On ministers," says Huine, "he lavished pensions and pecuniary bribes. To less influential persons, such lighter, but more honourable favours, as this to Sir John Croker. "