Thomas Ryves
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Ryves , member of a distinguished Dorsetshire family, became one of the foremost English experts on ecclesiastical and Admiralty law.
.Dr. Bruno Ryves
, royal chaplain and Dean of Windsor
was a first cousin; and Sir John Davies, William Ryves' predeccesor as Irish Attorney General was a connection through his wife.
He entered Winchester College
in 1590 and became a fellow of New College , Oxford in 1598 .He took his degree of Bachelor of Common Law in 1605 and his doctorate in 1610; he is also said to have studied for a considerable time in France. In 1612 he became an avocate of Doctors' Commons
.
. In 1617 Thomas became judge of the Irish Court of Faculties
, but became embroiled in a long dispute with James Ussher
and other leading clerics who argued that only a cleric should hold the office. Although Thomas is said to have been greatly respected in Ireland for his legal ability, he eventually resigned the office and returned to England in 1621.
, and was made King's Advocate
in 1625. In 1626 he became a master of the Court of Requests
;in 1636 he became the Admiralty judge for Dover
, and later judge for the Cinque Ports
.
On the outbreak of the English Civil War
he joined the King, and despite his age is said to have fought with great courage in several battles and been wounded. In 1648 the King chose him as one of his commissioners to negotiate with Parliament.He died in London early in 1652 and was buried in St. Clement Danes. His wife belonged to the Waldron family of Leicester ( one of several marriages between the two families); there were no children.
Background and early career
He was born around 1583, eighth son of John Ryves of Damory Court, near Blandford, Dorset and Elizabeth Mervyn.He belonged to a gifted family: one brother Sir William Ryves became Attorney General for Ireland and a High Court judge; another George, became Master of New College, OxfordNew College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
.Dr. Bruno Ryves
Bruno Ryves
Bruno Ryves was an English royalist churchman, editor in 1643 of the Oxford newsbook Mercurius Rusticus, and later dean of Chichester and dean of Windsor...
, royal chaplain and Dean of Windsor
Dean of Windsor
The Dean of Windsor is the spiritual head of the Canons of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Dean chairs meetings of the Chapter of Canons as primus inter pares.-List of Deans of Windsor:* William Mugge, 1348* Walter Almaly, 1380...
was a first cousin; and Sir John Davies, William Ryves' predeccesor as Irish Attorney General was a connection through his wife.
He entered Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
in 1590 and became a fellow of New College , Oxford in 1598 .He took his degree of Bachelor of Common Law in 1605 and his doctorate in 1610; he is also said to have studied for a considerable time in France. In 1612 he became an avocate of Doctors' Commons
Doctors' Commons
Doctors' Commons, also called the College of Civilians, was a society of lawyers practising civil law in London. Like the Inns of Court of the common lawyers, the society had buildings with rooms where its members lived and worked, and a large library...
.
Irish career
Thomas and his brother William relied largely on their connection with Sir John Davies to advance their careers. In 1612 Thomas accompanied Davies on his return to Ireland and did " good service " in helping him manage the Irish Parliament of 1613, where after a fierce struggle Davies was elected Speaker of the House of CommonsSpeaker of the House of Commons
Speaker of the House of Commons can refer to:*Speaker of the House of Commons *Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada*Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons...
. In 1617 Thomas became judge of the Irish Court of Faculties
Court of Faculties
Under English ecclesiastical law, the Court of Faculties is a tribunal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and is attached to the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury....
, but became embroiled in a long dispute with James Ussher
James Ussher
James Ussher was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–56...
and other leading clerics who argued that only a cleric should hold the office. Although Thomas is said to have been greatly respected in Ireland for his legal ability, he eventually resigned the office and returned to England in 1621.
Later career
Ryves soon built up a large practice in the English Admiralty CourtAdmiralty court
Admiralty courts, also known as maritime courts, are courts exercising jurisdiction over all maritime contracts, torts, injuries and offences.- Admiralty Courts in England and Wales :...
, and was made King's Advocate
King's Advocate
The King's Advocate was one of the Law Officers of the Crown. He represented the Crown in the ecclesiastical courts of the Church of England, where cases were argued not by barristers but by advocates...
in 1625. In 1626 he became a master of the Court of Requests
Court of Requests
The Court of Requests was a minor equity court in England and Wales. Created at an unknown date, it first became a formal tribunal with some Privy Council elements under Henry VII, hearing cases from the poor and the servants of the King. It quickly became popular due to the low cost of bringing a...
;in 1636 he became the Admiralty judge for Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
, and later judge for the Cinque Ports
Cinque Ports
The Confederation of Cinque Ports is a historic series of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex. It was originally formed for military and trade purposes, but is now entirely ceremonial. It lies at the eastern end of the English Channel, where the crossing to the continent is narrowest...
.
On the outbreak of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
he joined the King, and despite his age is said to have fought with great courage in several battles and been wounded. In 1648 the King chose him as one of his commissioners to negotiate with Parliament.He died in London early in 1652 and was buried in St. Clement Danes. His wife belonged to the Waldron family of Leicester ( one of several marriages between the two families); there were no children.