John Bridgeman (judge)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Bridgeman, SL
(1568/1569 – 5 February 1638) was a barrister
of the Inner Temple
, serjeant-at-law
and local magnate in the West of England
during the early 17th century.
, Gloucestershire
. He matriculated from Magdalen College, Oxford
in June 1582, and after some years at Clifford's Inn
, was admitted to the Inner Temple
in June 1591. Sometime during this period, he married Frances Daunt. When her brother Giles died in 1596, he became embroiled in a dispute with her uncle Thomas Daunt over the manor of Owlpen
. He lost the case when he was accused of forging deeds before Sir Edward Coke, the Attorney General
. They had at least two children:
Bridgeman was called to the bar in 1600. Most of his work was in the Court of Common Pleas
, a report of whose proceedings between 1613 and 1621 he compiled. In 1613, he purchased the manor of Nympsfield
, Gloucestershire, with Luke Garnon. He was counsel for the city of Gloucester
in 1614, and in 1615 he was made a bencher
of the Inner Temple. In 1622, he served as counsel for Exeter
in a successful attempt to block the inclusion of Bishop Valentine Carey in the city's commission of the peace, and was engaged as counsel by Lord Zouche
.
1623 saw a number of advancements for Bridgeman. He was appointed to the Council of the Marches
on 30 June 1623, made a serjeant-at-law
in October 1623, and knighted on 7 December 1623. With the assistance of Sir Thomas Coventry
, a fellow student at the Inner Temple, he was appointed to the vacant office of Chief Justice of Chester in February 1626.
and Bridgewater
). He regularly served as a justice of the peace
in Wales and the Marches, and as recorder
for Gloucester (1628), Shrewsbury
, Ludlow
, and Wenlock
. Bridgeman seems to have been assiduous and devoted to his numerous duties.
In 1628, he and his son George jointly purchased Prinknash Park, near Gloucester, which then became the family home.
In 1637, Bridgeman was compelled to take severe measures to end pilgrimages to St Winefride's Well
, Flintshire
, considered a hotbed of recusancy
by the government. He died in 1638 at Ludlow
. He seems to have been a harsh and unpopular judge, as Ralph Gibbon composed the following pasquinade
upon his death:
He is buried in Ludlow Church, where the monument to him and his wife is attributed to court sculptor Francesco Fanelli
.
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
(1568/1569 – 5 February 1638) was a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
of the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, serjeant-at-law
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
and local magnate in the West of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
during the early 17th century.
Early career
Bridgeman came from a minor gentry family settled at LittledeanLittledean
Littledean is a village in the Forest of Dean, west Gloucestershire, England. The village has a long history and formerly had the status of a town. Littledean Hall was originally a Saxon hall, although it has been rebuilt and the current house dates back to 1612. The remains of a Roman temple are...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. He matriculated from Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
in June 1582, and after some years at Clifford's Inn
Clifford's Inn
Clifford's Inn was an Inn of Chancery which is located between Fetter Lane and Clifford's Inn Passage, leading off Fleet Street, EC4.Founded in 1344 and dissolved in 1903, most of the original structure was demolished in 1934...
, was admitted to the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in June 1591. Sometime during this period, he married Frances Daunt. When her brother Giles died in 1596, he became embroiled in a dispute with her uncle Thomas Daunt over the manor of Owlpen
Owlpen
Owlpen is a small village and civil parish in the Stroud district of Gloucestershire, England, set in a picturesque valley in the Cotswold hills. It is about one mile east of Uley, and three miles east of Dursley. The Owlpen valley is set around the settlement like an amphitheatre of wooded hills...
. He lost the case when he was accused of forging deeds before Sir Edward Coke, the Attorney General
Attorney General for England and Wales
Her Majesty's Attorney General for England and Wales, usually known simply as the Attorney General, is one of the Law Officers of the Crown. Along with the subordinate Solicitor General for England and Wales, the Attorney General serves as the chief legal adviser of the Crown and its government in...
. They had at least two children:
- George Bridgeman
- Anne Bridgeman, married John Winford
Bridgeman was called to the bar in 1600. Most of his work was in the Court of Common Pleas
Court of Common Pleas (England)
The Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, was a common law court in the English legal system that covered "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which did not concern the king. Created in the late 12th to early 13th century after splitting from the Exchequer of Pleas, the Common...
, a report of whose proceedings between 1613 and 1621 he compiled. In 1613, he purchased the manor of Nympsfield
Nympsfield
Nympsfield is a village and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire. It is located around six miles south-west of the town of Stroud. As well as Nympsfield village, the parish also contains the hamlet of Cockadilly....
, Gloucestershire, with Luke Garnon. He was counsel for the city of Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
in 1614, and in 1615 he was made a bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
of the Inner Temple. In 1622, he served as counsel for Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
in a successful attempt to block the inclusion of Bishop Valentine Carey in the city's commission of the peace, and was engaged as counsel by Lord Zouche
Edward la Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche
Edward la Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche, 12th Baron St Maur was an English diplomat.-Early Life:Zouche was the son of George la Zouche, 10th Baron Zouche and his wife Margaret, née Welby....
.
1623 saw a number of advancements for Bridgeman. He was appointed to the Council of the Marches
Council of the Marches
The Council of Wales and the Marches was a regional administrative body within the Kingdom of England between the 15th and 17th centuries, similar to the Council of the North...
on 30 June 1623, made a serjeant-at-law
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
in October 1623, and knighted on 7 December 1623. With the assistance of Sir Thomas Coventry
Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry
Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry was a prominent English lawyer, politician and judge during the early 17th century.-Education and early legal career:...
, a fellow student at the Inner Temple, he was appointed to the vacant office of Chief Justice of Chester in February 1626.
Judicial activities in Wales
As Chief Justice of Chester, he retained, ex officio, his place on the Council in the Marches, and regularly served as deputy for the two presidents during his tenure (NorthamptonWilliam Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton
William Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton, KG , known as 2nd Baron Compton from 1589 to 1618, was an English peer.Northampton was the son of Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton, and Frances Hastings. His maternal grandparents were Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and Catherine Pole...
and Bridgewater
John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater
John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater KB, PC was an English peer and politician.The son of the Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley and Elizabeth Ravenscroft, he was a Member of Parliament for Callington from 1597 to 1598, and for Shropshire in 1601. Knighted on 8 April 1599, he was Baron of the...
). He regularly served as a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in Wales and the Marches, and as recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
for Gloucester (1628), Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, Ludlow
Ludlow
Ludlow is a market town in Shropshire, England close to the Welsh border and in the Welsh Marches. It lies within a bend of the River Teme, on its eastern bank, forming an area of and centred on a small hill. Atop this hill is the site of Ludlow Castle and the market place...
, and Wenlock
Wenlock
Wenlock may refer to:Places* Little Wenlock, Shropshire, England* Wenlock Edge, limestone escarpment near Much Wenlock* Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England** Wenlock ** Much Wenlock and Severn Junction railway...
. Bridgeman seems to have been assiduous and devoted to his numerous duties.
In 1628, he and his son George jointly purchased Prinknash Park, near Gloucester, which then became the family home.
In 1637, Bridgeman was compelled to take severe measures to end pilgrimages to St Winefride's Well
St Winefride's Well
St Winefride's Well is a holy well located in Holywell, in Flintshire in North Wales. It is the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain....
, Flintshire
Flintshire
Flintshire is a county in north-east Wales. It borders Denbighshire, Wrexham and the English county of Cheshire. It is named after the historic county of Flintshire, which had notably different borders...
, considered a hotbed of recusancy
Recusancy
In the history of England and Wales, the recusancy was the state of those who refused to attend Anglican services. The individuals were known as "recusants"...
by the government. He died in 1638 at Ludlow
Ludlow
Ludlow is a market town in Shropshire, England close to the Welsh border and in the Welsh Marches. It lies within a bend of the River Teme, on its eastern bank, forming an area of and centred on a small hill. Atop this hill is the site of Ludlow Castle and the market place...
. He seems to have been a harsh and unpopular judge, as Ralph Gibbon composed the following pasquinade
Pasquinade
Pasquino or Pasquin is the name used by Romans to describe a battered Hellenistic-style statue dating to the 3rd century BC, which was unearthed in the Parione district of Rome in the 15th century...
upon his death:
Here lies Sir John Bridgeman clad in his clay;
God said to the devil, Sirrah, take him away.
He is buried in Ludlow Church, where the monument to him and his wife is attributed to court sculptor Francesco Fanelli
Francesco Fanelli
Francesco Fanelli was an Italian sculptor, born in Florence, who spent most of his career in England.He is recorded at work in Genoa in 1609-10 then worked in London from about 1610, as a sculptor in ivory — Joachim von Sandrart mentions an ivory statuette of Pygmalion that attracted the attention...
.