Fortescue, John (c. 1394–c. 1476)

English lawyer. Fortescue was a favourite of Henry VI, serving three times as governor of Lincoln's Inn and, from 1442, as chief justice at King's Bench. At Edward IV's accession he was accused of high treason, but was pardoned at the defeat of the Lancastrians. His influential writings include De laudibus legum Angliae, written for the instruction of the young Edward.