Career
Harington lived at Stepney, and filled the post of treasurer to the king"s camps and buildings. While holding that office Harington employed John Bradford. Accounts differ on their professional relationship: it is said by Bradford"s biographers that he compelled Harington about 1549 to make a restitution to the crown of a sum of money which Harington had misappropriated.
John Strype, however, represents that Bradford was himself guilty of misappropriating public moneys, which Harington made good to shield his clerk from punishment.
Harington married Etheldreda Malte (Audrey), an illegitimate daughter of John Malte by Joan Dingley, who was the king"s tailor. Hester died in 1568, and her lands went to Harington.
Harington entered the service of Princess Elizabeth. He was a cultivated man and a poet, who in his visits to Elizabeth at Hatfield turned his talents to the praises of her six gentlewomen, but soon singled out among them Isabella Markham, daughter of Sir John Markham of Gotham.
He later became known as a writer at her court, where he was often in trouble.
Queen Elizabeth I also granted him the Stoughton Grange Estate in Leicestershire.