Laurence Merbury
Encyclopedia
Sir Laurence Merbury was an English born statesman in Ireland who held the office of Treasurer of Ireland and was also Deputy to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland
.
He was born at Marbury
in Cheshire
, son of Thomas Merbury.
Laurence served as High Sheriff of Cheshire
in 1412. He appears to have enjoyed royal favour as early as 1399, being described as a " retainer for life " of the King and was granted an annuity from the customs of Drogheda
. He is first heard of in Ireland in 1402 as Treasurer; from 1403 to 1410 he was frequently Deputy to the Lord Chancellor, Thomas Cranley
who was often unable through old age, ill health or other duties to act as Chancellor.He acted as Deputy again in 1417., and was Treasurer again in 1412-1413. O'Flanagan suggests that his record as Deputy was subject to criticism: when Cranley was asked to present a memorial to the Crown on the state of Government in Ireland, Merbury caused controversy by refusing to affix the Great Seal to it, apparently on the ground that some of the complaints concerned him.
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
.
He was born at Marbury
Marbury
Marbury is a small village located at in the civil parish of Marbury cum Quoisley, within the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is administered jointly with the adjacent civil parishes of Norbury and Wirswall. The village lies around north east...
in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, son of Thomas Merbury.
Laurence served as High Sheriff of Cheshire
High Sheriff of Cheshire
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1412. He appears to have enjoyed royal favour as early as 1399, being described as a " retainer for life " of the King and was granted an annuity from the customs of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
. He is first heard of in Ireland in 1402 as Treasurer; from 1403 to 1410 he was frequently Deputy to the Lord Chancellor, Thomas Cranley
Thomas Cranley
Thomas Cranley was a leading statesman and cleric in early fifteenth-century Ireland, who held the offices of Chancellor of Oxford, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.- Early career :...
who was often unable through old age, ill health or other duties to act as Chancellor.He acted as Deputy again in 1417., and was Treasurer again in 1412-1413. O'Flanagan suggests that his record as Deputy was subject to criticism: when Cranley was asked to present a memorial to the Crown on the state of Government in Ireland, Merbury caused controversy by refusing to affix the Great Seal to it, apparently on the ground that some of the complaints concerned him.