Sir John Knyvett, (also spelt Knivett), was a member of Corpus Christi College Cambridge. He succeeded his father as 4° B. Berners. Made a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Charles II, (1660-1685). Made Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk in 1662.

John was born at Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, England. He died July 28, 1673 at Darsham, Suffolk, England and was buried July 30, 1673 at Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, England. His Will was dated May 16, 1673 and proved February, 1674.

He married Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Bedingfield of Darsham, on June 13, 1655 in Darsham, Suffolk, England. She died April 18, 1713. Her Will was dated October 16, 1710 and proved August 5, 1713.

National Archives (UK)
KNY 600,601 372 x 5
John Butts, London
Enclosing drawing of Knyvett arms for a seal engraved by 'Mr. Restrick', (nd).

Reference: KNY 758 372 x 5
John Knyvett, Utrecht, son
Concerning unguarded expressions in his letters that had endangered his father, (1644).

Reference: KNY 610 372 x 5
Thomas Knyvett, Heveningham Hall (co. Suffolk), John's father
Lawsuit concerning one Clayton and possibility of John's marrying one of Sir Symonds D'Ewes' daughters - 'they are both good matches for them than Can Catch them', (1652).

Reference: KNY 611 372 x 5
Thomas Knyvett, Kenninghall Place, a brother
Urging him to court one of Sir Symonds D'Ewes' daughters, (1652).

Reference: 372 x 1 KNY 515-519
Draft letters from Thomas Knyvett.
Re proposed marriage of his son, John, and Mary Bedingfield and particulars of lands to be settled on them, (1654 and undated).

Reference: KNY 520 372 x 1
Settlement prior to marriage
Between John Knyvett gent. son of Thomas Knyvett Esq. and Mary daughter of Sir Thomas Bedingfield of Darsham re the manors of Ashwellthorpe, Wreningham, Neland, Fundenhall, and Hapton, the advowsons of Ashwellthorpe and Wreningham, Hawes Marsh in Hapton, various farms, inc. in Thorpe, Thorpe Wood next the park cont. 76a., several groves cont. 30a., Hapton Hall, Bellhouse Close, closes called Crabbs and Swampie Closes in Wymondham. Exceptions from conveyance inc. house and smith's shop in Ashwellthorpe, Fundenhall Wood stubbed and unstubbed cont. about 180a., and the upper end of Thorpe Wood next Wymondham cont. about 64a, (1655).

Reference: KNY 522 372 x 1
Lease and Release from Thomas Knyvett Esq. to John Knyvett Esq. of Darsham his son of the same property as KNY521, (1657).

Reference: KNY 523 372 x 1
Quitclaim from John Knyvett Esq. to Sir Thomas Bedingfield of the same property KNY521, (1658).

Reference: KNY 15 369 x 2
Bargain and Sale
From Sir John Knyvett to John Earle Esq., Martin and Edward his brothers, James Longe gent., and John Fisher gent. of closes inc. carr grounds in Irmingland, Corpusty and Heydon, (1661).

Reference: PC 88/1
Description of silver plate given to parish by Sir John Knyvett. The massive antique communion plate bears the following inscription:- 'Deo Sacrum ex dedicatione Johannis Knyvett militis Balner 1671,' and consists of chalice, flagon, paten and almsdish. Ashwellthorp Book, (1671).

Reference: BFM/996
Sir Peter Gleane of Hardwicke, baronet, to Robert Chettleburgh of Hempnall, gentleman and Philip Page of Tacolneston (appointed trustees of the settlement during Sir Peter's life) and after his death to Sir Robert Kempe of Gissing, baronet, Sir John Knyvet of Ashwellthorpe, knight of the Bath, Sir William Doyly [D'Oyly] of Shottisham [Shotesham], knight, Sir Robert Baldocke of Tacolneston, knight, Robert Gausell of Shottisham, esquire and Robert Suckling the younger of Woodton, esquire (trustees appointed for the life of Sir Peter's son Thomas, and thenceforth for 500 years). Messuages and land in Stratton, Hardwick, Hempnall and Starston (as in BFM/993-995); also, one messuage in Potter Heygham (Heigham) and another in Needham, and all Sir Peter Gleane's messuages and land in Stratton, Hardwick, Starston, Needham, Hempnall, Potterheyham, Horsey, Waxtonesham (Waxham), Blickling, Marham and East and West Somerton; to the two trustees appointed, to the use of Sir Peter for life, and then to the named trustees to the use of Thomas Gleane, subject only to the provisions of Sir Peter's will; with limited remainder, (January 27, 1672).

Reference: KNY 530 372 x 1
Quitclaim of actions
From Mary Gorbold widow of Yoxford (co. Suffolk) to Dame Mary Knyvett widow of Weston Market, co. Suffolk, Richard Bokenham, (2nd husband of Catherine) of same and Samuel Clark of Yoxford, (1713).