John, a Polish nobleman of the 16th century, who, imbibing the reformed opinions, was expelled his country, and became preacher to a Protestant congregation at Embsden; but foreseeing persecution there, he came to England about the year 1551, while the reformation was carrying on under Edward VI. The publication of the Interim driving the Protestants to such places as afforded them toleration, 380 were naturalised in Britain, and obtained a charter of incorporation, by which they were erected into an ecclesiastical establishment, independent of the church of England. The church of the Augustin friars was granted them, with the revenues, for the maintenance of Alasco as superintendent, with four assistant ministers, subject to the approval of the king. This congregation lived undisturbed until the accession of Queen Mary, when they were all banished. They were kindly received, and permitted to settle at Embsden; and Alasco at last, after an absence of twenty years, returned, by the favour of Sigismund, to his own country, where he died in 1560. Alasco was much esteemed by Erasmus, and the historians of his time speak greatly in his praise. He wrote a considerable number of theological treatises in defence of the doctrines of the Swiss Reformers. His real name was Laschi.