Sir John Fastolf

Sir John Fastolf (1380-1459) was a distinguished English soldier of Henry V's reign, who with Sir John Oldcastle shares the doubtful honour of being the prototype of Shakespeare's Falstaff, but unlike the dramatist's creation was a courageous soldier, and won distinction at Agincourt and at the "Battle of the Herrings". After engaging with less success in the struggle against Joan of Arc, he returned to England and spent his closing years in honoured retirement at Norfolk, his birthplace. He figures in the "Paston Letters".

Nearby pages
Sir John Forbes, Sir John Fowler, Sir John Franklin, Sir John Gilbert, Sir John Graham, Sir John Hawkins