Henry le Scrope
Encyclopedia
Sir Henry le Scrope was an English
lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench for two periods between 1317 and 1330. He was the eldest son of Sir William le Scrope (c. 1259 – c. 1312), who was bailiff to the earl of Richmond
in Richmondshire
. Henry’s younger brother Geoffrey
was also a lawyer who probably advanced through the influence of his older brother. Geoffrey served as Chief Justice four times between 1324 and 1338.
Henry was an advocate at the King's Bench
by 1292, and had various judicial commissions in the years from 1306 to 1308. On 27 November 1308 he was appointed justice of the common pleas. His friendship with, and the work he did for Henry Lacy, earl of Lincoln
, helped his advancement at court, where he became a strong supporter of King Edward II
. In 1311, after the barons had forced the king to accept the restrictions of the so-called Ordinances
, Scrope withdrew from Parliament in protest, but was promptly ordered by the king to return. On 15 June 1317, when the king was once more restored to full power, Scrope was promoted to Chief Justice of the King's Bench. It was during this period (specifically from Hilary term
1319) that he instituted the practice of enrolling cases especially pertaining to the king on separate membranes, what became known as the Rex section.
In 1322 he received a share of the estates forfeited by the adherents of Thomas, earl of Lancaster, after the earl's failed rebellion at Boroughbridge
. The next year, however, Scrope was replaced as Chief Justice for reasons that are not quite clear. Still, he did not entirely fall out of favour at court, and on 10 September was appointed justice of the forests north of Trent
. He also had the good will of the new regime under Edward III
, and on 5 February 1327 was named 'second justice' of the common pleas
. From 28 October 1329 to 19 December 1330, while his brother Geoffrey was abroad, he once more took on the post of Chief Justice of the King's Bench. After this he was made chief baron of the exchequer
, a post he held until his death.
Henry le Scrope was knighted at some point before February 1311. He held extensive possessions all over England, amounting to twenty-one manors all in all, most of them in Yorkshire
. He was married to a Margaret, perhaps the daughter of either Lord Ros
or Lord Fitzwalter
. Together they had three sons. Margaret outlived him until 1357, and after his death married married Sir Hugh Mortimer of Chelmarsh
, Shropshire
. When Sir Henry died on 7 September 1336, he was buried in the Premonstratensian
abbey of St Agatha at Easby
, close to Richmond
. Of his three sons, the eldest, William, was a soldier who distinguished himself in the French and Scottish wars, and died in 1344. The next brother, Stephen, had predeceased William, so the estates passed to Richard Scrope, who subsequently became the first Lord Scrope of Bolton
, and chancellor 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...
lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench for two periods between 1317 and 1330. He was the eldest son of Sir William le Scrope (c. 1259 – c. 1312), who was bailiff to the earl of Richmond
Earl of Richmond
The now-extinct title of Earl of Richmond was created many times in the Peerage of England. The earldom of Richmond was held by various Bretons, Normans, the royal families of Plantagenet, Capet, Savoy, Tudor and Stuart.-History:...
in Richmondshire
Richmondshire
Richmondshire is a local government district of North Yorkshire, England. It covers a large northern area of the Yorkshire Dales including Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, Wensleydale and Coverdale, with the prominent Scots' Dyke and Scotch Corner along the centre. Teesdale lies to the north...
. Henry’s younger brother Geoffrey
Geoffrey le Scrope
Sir Geoffrey le Scrope was an English lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench for four periods between 1324 and 1338. He was the son of Sir William le Scrope, who was bailiff to the earl of Richmond in Richmondshire...
was also a lawyer who probably advanced through the influence of his older brother. Geoffrey served as Chief Justice four times between 1324 and 1338.
Henry was an advocate at the King's Bench
King's Bench
The Queen's Bench is the superior court in a number of jurisdictions within some of the Commonwealth realms...
by 1292, and had various judicial commissions in the years from 1306 to 1308. On 27 November 1308 he was appointed justice of the common pleas. His friendship with, and the work he did for Henry Lacy, earl of Lincoln
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln was a confidant of Edward I of England.In 1272 on reaching the age of majority he became Earl of Lincoln...
, helped his advancement at court, where he became a strong supporter of King Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
. In 1311, after the barons had forced the king to accept the restrictions of the so-called Ordinances
Ordinances of 1311
The Ordinances of 1311 were a series of regulations imposed upon King Edward II by the peerage and clergy of the Kingdom of England to restrict the power of the king. The twenty-one signatories of the Ordinances are referred to as the Lords Ordainers, or simply the Ordainers...
, Scrope withdrew from Parliament in protest, but was promptly ordered by the king to return. On 15 June 1317, when the king was once more restored to full power, Scrope was promoted to Chief Justice of the King's Bench. It was during this period (specifically from Hilary term
Hilary term
Hilary Term is the second academic term of Oxford University's academic year. It runs from January to March and is so named because the feast day of St Hilary of Poitiers, 14 January, falls during this term...
1319) that he instituted the practice of enrolling cases especially pertaining to the king on separate membranes, what became known as the Rex section.
In 1322 he received a share of the estates forfeited by the adherents of Thomas, earl of Lancaster, after the earl's failed rebellion at Boroughbridge
Battle of Boroughbridge
The Battle of Boroughbridge was a battle fought on 16 March 1322 between a group of rebellious barons and King Edward II of England, near Boroughbridge, northwest of York. The culmination of a long period of antagonism between the king and Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, his most powerful subject, it...
. The next year, however, Scrope was replaced as Chief Justice for reasons that are not quite clear. Still, he did not entirely fall out of favour at court, and on 10 September was appointed justice of the forests north of Trent
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
. He also had the good will of the new regime under Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
, and on 5 February 1327 was named 'second justice' of the 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...
. From 28 October 1329 to 19 December 1330, while his brother Geoffrey was abroad, he once more took on the post of Chief Justice of the King's Bench. After this he was made chief baron of the exchequer
Exchequer
The Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
, a post he held until his death.
Henry le Scrope was knighted at some point before February 1311. He held extensive possessions all over England, amounting to twenty-one manors all in all, most of them in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. He was married to a Margaret, perhaps the daughter of either Lord Ros
Baron de Ros
The title of Baron de Ros of Helmsley is the most ancient baronial title in the Peerage of England. The title of Baron de Ros of Helmsley is the most ancient baronial title in the Peerage of England. The title of Baron de Ros of Helmsley is the most ancient baronial title in the Peerage of England....
or Lord Fitzwalter
Baron FitzWalter
Baron FitzWalter is an ancient title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1295 for Robert FitzWalter. The title was created by writ, which means that it can descend through both male and female lines. His great-grandson, the fourth Baron, was an Admiral of the Fleet. His grandson, the...
. Together they had three sons. Margaret outlived him until 1357, and after his death married married Sir Hugh Mortimer of Chelmarsh
Chelmarsh
Chelmarsh is a village and civil parish in the English county of Shropshire. It lies 4 miles south of Bridgnorth on the B4555 road to Highley....
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
. When Sir Henry died on 7 September 1336, he was buried in the Premonstratensian
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
abbey of St Agatha at Easby
Easby, Richmondshire
Easby is a hamlet and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. Situated near Richmond its main attraction is the nearby Easby Abbey, which is in ruins as it was one of many dissolved by Henry VIII as part of the reformation...
, close to Richmond
Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond is a market town and civil parish on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. It is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and serves as the Park's main tourist centre...
. Of his three sons, the eldest, William, was a soldier who distinguished himself in the French and Scottish wars, and died in 1344. The next brother, Stephen, had predeceased William, so the estates passed to Richard Scrope, who subsequently became the first Lord Scrope of Bolton
Baron Scrope of Bolton
The title Baron Scrope of Bolton was created in the Peerage of England for Sir Richard le Scrope as a barony by writ on January 8, 1371. It became dormant on the death of the 11th Baron in 1630 without male issue....
, and chancellor of England
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
.