Bishop John Harley was born at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire [Map]. He was educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford University.
On 9th May 1550 Bishop John Harley was appointed Rector of Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire [Map]
On 30th September 1551 Bishop John Harley was appointed Rector of Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire.
On 26th May 1553 Bishop John Harley was consecrated Bishop of Hereford.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th March 1554. The xvij day of Marche was deprevyd the bysshope of Harfford and the bysshope of Glosetur [aged 59]; commyssyonars that dyd depreyffe them my lord chansseler and my lord of Durram, my lord of Londun, my lord of Chechastur, and my lord of sant Asse.
On 19th March 1554 Bishop John Harley was deprived of his see of Bishop of Hereford for being a Protestant, and because he was married.
In 1558 Bishop John Harley died.