John Parker (Irish judge)
Encyclopedia
John Parker was an English-born merchant, politician and judge in Tudor Ireland .He held the offices of Constable of Dublin Castle
and Master of the Rolls in Ireland
; the latter was a notable achievement for a man who began his career as a cloth-maker and appears to have had no legal training. As a politician he was noted for leading opposition to the policies of the Earl of Sussex, the Lord Deputy of Ireland
.
in Kent
, where he was in business as a cloth-maker in the 1530s. Later in the decade he was attached to the household of Viscount Lisle
, the Governor of Calais, in the same capacity. In Ireland, even while a public servant he pursued his business interests, first as a ship-owner and then as a maker of hats and tapestries, and for this purpose obtained a royal licence to import dyed wool.
Although he was a sincere religious reformer, like many reformers he did well out of the Dissolution of the Monasteries
. He received Selskar Abbey in Wexford
, Rosbercon Abbey
in Kilkenny
, Holmpatrick Abbey near Skerries, Dublin
and Tircroghan in Westmeath. Despite his apparent wealth he died in debt.
in 1551. He entered the Irish House of Commons
as member for Trim
in 1559 and was a Royal Commissioner in Munster
in 1562.
Although he held a number of quasi-judicial posts, such as Marshal of the Dublin Courts, these seem to have been sinecures. His appointment as Master of the Rolls in 1552 is therefore surprising; while not as senior an office as it later became it was nonetheless an office which normally called for a highly qualified lawyer, and Parker seems to have had no legal training.
the next year. By 1562 however their quarrel was a considerable factor in Irish politics. Sussex's policy, particularly his levying of taxes, had aroused much opposition in the Pale
; Parker emerged as a leader of the gentlemen of the Pale and used his judicial authority to declare that Sussex had exceeded his legal powers. Sussex in turn accused Parker of disloyalty and of being the real author of a scurrilous book attacking him. Another source of contention was religion: Sussex, first appointed by the Catholic Mary I
was a very moderate Protestant : his first commission had incuded an injunction to suppress heretics and Lollards, and Parker, an extreme reformer, had been obliged to seek a royal pardon. After the accession of Elizabeth I, with the reformers dominant, Parker in turn accused Sussex of a lack of religious zeal.
The complaints against Sussex eventually caused the Queen to set up a Commission of Inquiry; the Commissioners were Sir Thomas Wroth
and Sir Nicholas Arnold
. Both like Parker were strong Protestants but do not seem to have been entirely unsympathetic to Sussex; in the event the result of the inquiry was Sussex' recall to England, which he had been pressing for himself. The Commissioners praised Parker for his religious zeal : whether this might have led to further advancement is unknown, since he died the same year.
conspirator Colonel John Parker, was descended from him.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
and Master of the Rolls in Ireland
Master of the Rolls in Ireland
The office of Master of the Rolls in Ireland originated in the office of the keeper of the Rolls in the Irish Chancery and became an office granted by letters patent in 1333. It was abolished in 1924....
; the latter was a notable achievement for a man who began his career as a cloth-maker and appears to have had no legal training. As a politician he was noted for leading opposition to the policies of the Earl of Sussex, the Lord Deputy of Ireland
Lord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
.
Background and business career
He was a native of TenterdenTenterden
Tenterden is a Cinque Port town in the Ashford District of Kent, England. It stands on the edge of the Weald, overlooking the valley of the River Rother....
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, where he was in business as a cloth-maker in the 1530s. Later in the decade he was attached to the household of Viscount Lisle
Viscount Lisle
The title of Viscount Lisle has been created six times in the Peerage of England. The first creation, on 30 October 1451, was for John Talbot, 1st Baron Lisle. Upon the death of his son Thomas at the Battle of Nibley Green in 1470, the viscountcy became extinct and the barony abeyant.In 1475, the...
, the Governor of Calais, in the same capacity. In Ireland, even while a public servant he pursued his business interests, first as a ship-owner and then as a maker of hats and tapestries, and for this purpose obtained a royal licence to import dyed wool.
Although he was a sincere religious reformer, like many reformers he did well out of the Dissolution of the Monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
. He received Selskar Abbey in Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
, Rosbercon Abbey
Rosbercon Abbey
Rosbercon Abbey was a Dominican Abbey at Rosbercon, County Kilkenny. Founded in 1267, it was suppressed in 1539. A fragment survived as late as the1820s, but little trace remains now.The founders were two prominent local families, the Walshes and Graces...
in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, Holmpatrick Abbey near Skerries, Dublin
Skerries, Dublin
-The 20th century and today:Historically, Skerries has been a thriving fishing port and a major center of hand embroidery. In the late 20th century, it became a resort town , and another suburb for commuters to the city of Dublin....
and Tircroghan in Westmeath. Despite his apparent wealth he died in debt.
Political and judicial career
He is first heard of in Ireland about 1540 as secretary to the Deputy, Sir Anthony St. Leger.He became Constable of Dublin Castle in 1543 and organised the defence of CarrickfergusCarrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in 1551. He entered the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
as member for Trim
Trim
Trim may refer to:* Cutting small pieces off something** Book trimming, a stage of the publishing process** Editing*** Editing a posting style in online discourse** Pruning, trimming as a form of pruning often used on trees-Places:...
in 1559 and was a Royal Commissioner in Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
in 1562.
Although he held a number of quasi-judicial posts, such as Marshal of the Dublin Courts, these seem to have been sinecures. His appointment as Master of the Rolls in 1552 is therefore surprising; while not as senior an office as it later became it was nonetheless an office which normally called for a highly qualified lawyer, and Parker seems to have had no legal training.
Dispute with Earl of Sussex
His last years were overshadowed by his quarrel with the Deputy, Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex. Initial relations seem to have been friendly enough : Parker entertained Sussex at Holmpatrick soon after the latter's arrival in Ireland, and they went together on an expedition against Shane O'NeillShane O'Neill
Seán Ó Néill, anglicised Shane O'Neill , nicknamed 'Seán an díomais', was an Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in the mid 16th century. Shane O'Neill's career was marked by his ambition to be The Ó Néill Mór - Sovereign of the dominant Ó Néill Mór family of Tyrone... and thus head...
the next year. By 1562 however their quarrel was a considerable factor in Irish politics. Sussex's policy, particularly his levying of taxes, had aroused much opposition in the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
; Parker emerged as a leader of the gentlemen of the Pale and used his judicial authority to declare that Sussex had exceeded his legal powers. Sussex in turn accused Parker of disloyalty and of being the real author of a scurrilous book attacking him. Another source of contention was religion: Sussex, first appointed by the Catholic Mary I
Mary I
Mary I or Maria I may refer to:*Maria, Queen of Sicily *Mary, Queen of Hungary *Mary I of England , often called "Bloody Mary"*Mary, Queen of Scots *Mary I of Portugal...
was a very moderate Protestant : his first commission had incuded an injunction to suppress heretics and Lollards, and Parker, an extreme reformer, had been obliged to seek a royal pardon. After the accession of Elizabeth I, with the reformers dominant, Parker in turn accused Sussex of a lack of religious zeal.
The complaints against Sussex eventually caused the Queen to set up a Commission of Inquiry; the Commissioners were Sir Thomas Wroth
Thomas Wroth
Thomas Wroth may refer to:* Thomas Wroth , , English courtier and politician* Thomas Wroth , , English parliamentarian and author...
and Sir Nicholas Arnold
Nicholas Arnold
-Life:He was the son of John Arnold, Lord of the manor of Highnam and Over, and his wife Isabel Hawkins.In 1530 he entered the service of Thomas Cromwell and assisted him in the Dissolution of the Monasteries...
. Both like Parker were strong Protestants but do not seem to have been entirely unsympathetic to Sussex; in the event the result of the inquiry was Sussex' recall to England, which he had been pressing for himself. The Commissioners praised Parker for his religious zeal : whether this might have led to further advancement is unknown, since he died the same year.
Family
Parker made an advantageous marriage to Marian St Lawrence, daughter of the 4th Baron Howth and mother through her first husband of the 5th Baron Delvin. He had a son and a daughter. The noted JacobiteJacobite
Jacobite may refer to:* In ancient days, the term was used for the followers of faith propounded by a 6th century Bishop Jacob Baradaeus.* In Modern days, the following churches are called Jacobite Church:** Syriac Orthodox Church...
conspirator Colonel John Parker, was descended from him.