Gilbert Gerard
Encyclopedia
Sir Gilbert Gerard was Attorney-General to Elizabeth I
for over twenty years, who later became Master of the Rolls
.
and Ince Hall
, Lancashire, who was descended from the ancient family of Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire and Kingsley, Cheshire. Gilbert spent some time at the University of Cambridge
but did not graduate. He entered Gray's Inn
in 1537 and was called to the bar in 1539, serving as Treasurer in 1556. He was a cousin of the distinguished judge and administrator Sir William Gerard
, who ended his career as Lord Chancellor of Ireland
.
in 1545, MP for Wigan
in 1553 and 1555, MP for Steyning
, Sussex
in 1554 and MP for Wigan again in 1555. On the accession of Elizabeth I, he was appointed Attorney-General and served in this role for over twenty years, helping to reform court procedure in Ireland amongst other tasks, but not playing a large role in policy-making. He sat as a judge on trials including that of John Hales
in 1564. Three years later, he helped Matthew Parker
, the Archbishop of Canterbury
, in reforming Merton College, Oxford
. In 1570, he was a member of a commission trying participants in the northern uprising, and in 1571 he was thanked by Cambridge University for his work in securing the passage of an Act of Parliament confirming the charters and privileges of the university. He also assisted the prosecution of Duke of Norfolk
in connection with the Ridolfi plot
.
He was knighted in 1579 but was passed over for the position of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in the same year. In 1581, he became Master of the Rolls
, and although his 12-year period of office was not a great success, this may not have been due to personal failings. He was elected to Parliament as knight of the shire for Lancashire
in 1584 but wa soon obliged to resign because of his duties as Master of the Rolls in the House of Lords.
He died on 4 February 1593 and was buried in Ashley, Staffordshire. He had estates at Gerrards Bromley where he built Gerrards Bromley Hall in 1575 and at Hilderstone, Staffordshire. He had married Ann Ratcliffe who inherited Damhouse
in Astley
and their son Thomas
was created the first Baron Gerard
of Gerrard's Bromley in 1603. His family from Hilderstone, Staffordshire were staunchly Catholic including his grandson Richard Gerard of Hilderstone
who died in Newgate Prison
in 1580. He was involved in further treason trials in later years.
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
for over twenty years, who later became Master of the Rolls
Master of the Rolls
The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
.
Early life
He was born the son of James Gerard of AstleyAstley, Greater Manchester
Astley is a settlement within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England, variously described as a suburb or a village. Astley lies on flat land to the northwest of the city of Manchester, and is crossed by the Bridgewater Canal and the A580 "East Lancashire Road"...
and Ince Hall
Ince Hall
Ince Hall was a country house near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England. It stood in the grounds of the ruined Stanlow Abbey. It was a house in Italianate style that was extended by the Lancaster firm of architects Paley and Austin in 1849. At this time it was occupied by Eliza Jane Waldegrave,...
, Lancashire, who was descended from the ancient family of Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire and Kingsley, Cheshire. Gilbert spent some time at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
but did not graduate. He entered Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1537 and was called to the bar in 1539, serving as Treasurer in 1556. He was a cousin of the distinguished judge and administrator Sir William Gerard
Sir William Gerard
Sir William Gerard was an Elizabethan statesman with a distinguished record of service in England, Wales and Ireland. He sat in the House of Commons for Chester for many years, and was Vice-President of the Council of Wales and the Marches...
, who ended his career as 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:...
.
Career
He was returned as MP for LiverpoolLiverpool (UK Parliament constituency)
Liverpool was a Borough constituency in the county of Lancashire of the House of Commons for the Parliament of England to 1706 then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. It was represented by two Members of Parliament...
in 1545, MP for Wigan
Wigan (UK Parliament constituency)
Wigan is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
in 1553 and 1555, MP for Steyning
Steyning (UK Parliament constituency)
Steyning was a parliamentary borough in Sussex, England, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons sporadically from 1298 and continuously from 1467 until 1832...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
in 1554 and MP for Wigan again in 1555. On the accession of Elizabeth I, he was appointed Attorney-General and served in this role for over twenty years, helping to reform court procedure in Ireland amongst other tasks, but not playing a large role in policy-making. He sat as a judge on trials including that of John Hales
John Hales
John Hales was an English theologian born in St. James's parish, Bath, England. As eminent divine and critic, his singular talents and learning have procured him by common consent the title of the "Ever-memorable".-Life:...
in 1564. Three years later, he helped Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1559 until his death in 1575. He was also an influential theologian and arguably the co-founder of Anglican theological thought....
, the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, in reforming Merton College, Oxford
Merton College, Oxford
Merton College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor to Henry III and later to Edward I, first drew up statutes for an independent academic community and established endowments to...
. In 1570, he was a member of a commission trying participants in the northern uprising, and in 1571 he was thanked by Cambridge University for his work in securing the passage of an Act of Parliament confirming the charters and privileges of the university. He also assisted the prosecution of Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was an English nobleman.Norfolk was the son of the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. He was taught as a child by John Foxe, the Protestant martyrologist, who remained a lifelong recipient of Norfolk's patronage...
in connection with the Ridolfi plot
Ridolfi plot
The Ridolfi plot was a plot in 1570 to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I of England and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. The plot was hatched and planned by Roberto di Ridolfi, an international banker who was able to travel between Brussels, Rome and Madrid to gather support without attracting...
.
He was knighted in 1579 but was passed over for the position of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in the same year. In 1581, he became Master of the Rolls
Master of the Rolls
The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
, and although his 12-year period of office was not a great success, this may not have been due to personal failings. He was elected to Parliament as knight of the shire for Lancashire
Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency)
Lancashire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1290, then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832...
in 1584 but wa soon obliged to resign because of his duties as Master of the Rolls in the House of Lords.
He died on 4 February 1593 and was buried in Ashley, Staffordshire. He had estates at Gerrards Bromley where he built Gerrards Bromley Hall in 1575 and at Hilderstone, Staffordshire. He had married Ann Ratcliffe who inherited Damhouse
Damhouse
Damhouse or Astley Hall is a Grade II* Listed building located in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, England. It has served as a manor house, sanatorium, and, since restoration in 2000, houses offices, a clinic, nursery and tearooms.-History:...
in Astley
Astley, Greater Manchester
Astley is a settlement within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England, variously described as a suburb or a village. Astley lies on flat land to the northwest of the city of Manchester, and is crossed by the Bridgewater Canal and the A580 "East Lancashire Road"...
and their son Thomas
Thomas Gerard, 1st Baron Gerard
Thomas Gerard, 1st Baron Gerard was an English politician and peer. He was made Baron Gerard, Custos Rotulorum of Staffordshire, president of the Council of Wales and the Marches and Lord Lieutenant of Wales....
was created the first Baron Gerard
Baron Gerard
There have been three baronies created for descendants of the Gerard family who resided at Bryn, Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire and Kingsley, Cheshire in the 13th century....
of Gerrard's Bromley in 1603. His family from Hilderstone, Staffordshire were staunchly Catholic including his grandson Richard Gerard of Hilderstone
Richard Gerard of Hilderstone
Richard Gerard of Hilderstone, Staffordshire was a figure of the Popish Plot of the reign of Charles II of England...
who died in Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
in 1580. He was involved in further treason trials in later years.