John Holles, 2nd Earl Of Clare

John Holles, 2nd Earl of Clare (born 13 June 1595; died 2 January 1666), was an English nobleman and politician. He was born in Haughton, Nottinghamshire, as the eldest son of John Holles, 1st Earl of Clare, and Anne Stanhope. He had a brother named Denzil Holles, who was the 1st Baron Holles.

Holles was styled Lord Haughton starting in 1624. He served as a Member of Parliament for East Retford across three parliamentary sessions from 1623 to 1626. In 1637, he succeeded to the peerage as the Earl of Clare.

During the Thirty Years' War, particularly at the siege of Bois-le-Duc in 1629, he participated as a volunteer under the command of his father-in-law, Horace Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury. In 1641, Holles opposed the impeachment of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who was married to his sister, Arabella Holles. During Strafford's trial in the House of Lords, Holles asked several questions that were considered favorable to Strafford's defense. After Strafford's conviction and sentencing to death by attainder, Holles unsuccessfully pleaded with King Charles I to spare his life.

Holles engaged in some activities during the English Civil War; however, his political stance has been described as one of "dubious neutrality," as he was often of both parties and did not clearly benefit either side. In 1642, he was appointed Recorder of Nottingham. Following the Restoration of the monarchy, he received a pardon from King Charles II.

In his familial life, Holles married Elizabeth Vere on 4 September 1626. Elizabeth was the daughter of Horace Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury. They had eight children:

- John Holles, who died young

- Gilbert Holles, 3rd Earl of Clare (1633–1689)

- Lady Anne Holles (1635–1707), married Edward Clinton, Lord Clinton

- Lady Eleanor Holles (1636–1709), whose will endowed Lady Eleanor Holles School

- Lady Elizabeth Holles (1638–1666), married Wentworth FitzGerald, 17th Earl of Kildare

- Lady Arabella Holles (1639–1707), married Sir Edward Rossiter of Somerley

- Lady Susan Holles (c. 1640 – before May 1710), married Sir John Lort, 2nd Baronet, around July 1663

- Lady Diana Holles (1641–1716), married Harry Bridges of Keynsham

- Lady Penelope Holles (1643–1684), married Sir James Langham, 2nd Baronet, on 13 April 1667

John Holles was buried in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham.

His heraldic coat of arms is associated with the Holles family but specific details are not provided in the available information.

References for his biography include the "Holles pedigree," which has been archived, as well as Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages.