Sir Bernard Hale was an English-born judge who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.

He was born at King's Walden

King's Walden

King's Walden is a civil parish in the English county of Hertfordshire. The name includes an apostrophe, but this is often omitted.The main settlement is now Breachwood Green, and there are also the hamlets of King's Walden, Ley Green, Darleyhall, Lye Hill, Wandon End, Wandon Green and Winch Hill...

, Hertfordshire, eighth son of William Hale and his wife Mary Elwes. He married Anne Thoresby of Northampton. He was called to the Bar in 1705.

In 1722 he was appointed Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and earned a good reputation in Ireland for integrity and efficiency. In 1725 it was rumoured that he was to be Lord Chancellor of Ireland

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:...

; in the event he returned to England as a Baron of the Exchequer,and received a knighthood. He died at Red Lion Square

Red Lion Square

Red Lion Square is a small square on the boundary of Bloomsbury and Holborn in London. The square was laid out in 1698 by Nicholas Barbon, taking its name from the Red Lion Inn. According to some sources the bodies of three regicides - Oliver Cromwell, John Bradshaw and Henry Ireton - were placed...

, London in 1729 and was buried at King's Walden.