John Alleyne (also spelled or misspelled Aleyn) was Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin"A New History of Ireland" T. W. Moody, F. X. Martin, F.J. Byrne and Cosgrove, A: Oxford, OUP, 1976 from 1466"The History and Antiquities of the Collegiate and Cathedral Church of St. Patrick Near Dublin, from it Foundation in 1190, to the Year 1819: Comprising a Topographical Account of the Lands and Parishes Appropriated to the Community of the Cathedral, and to Its Members, and Biographical Memoirs of Its Deans" Mason, W.M. p136:Dublin, W.Folds, 1820 until 1506,Handbook of British Chronology by Fryde, E. B;. Greenway, D.E; Porter, S; Roy, I: Cambridge, CUP, 1996, , 9780521563505 having previously been Precentor."Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicae: The succession of the prelates Volume 2" Cotton, H. p110 Dublin, Hodges & Smith, 1848-1878
He was noted for charity: he built an almshouse on Kevin Street, on the grounds of St. Sepulchre's Palace, near the cathedral, and left most of his money for its support. In his will he directed that his body be buried under the statue of St Patrick in the nave of the cathedral. The nave collapsed due to neglect in 1554. He was also a Master in the Court of Chancery (Ireland).
In 1474, he clashed with the Archbishop of Dublin, John Walton, who attempted to impose his will on the Cathedral Chapter. Alleyne appealed directly to King Edward IV, and obtained his crucial support. Walton was reminded that it was illegal for any outsider to interfere in the Chapter's business.
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