Edward Flowerdew facts for kids
Edward Flowerdew (died 1586) was an important English judge and a member of Parliament (MP). He was known for his work in law during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Life as a Lawyer and MP
Edward Flowerdew was the fourth son of John Flowerdew. His family owned a lot of land in Hethersett, Norfolk. Edward studied at Cambridge University. He became a member of the Inner Temple on October 11, 1552. The Inner Temple was one of the main places where lawyers were trained in London. He held important roles there, like "reader" and "treasurer."
Flowerdew became a well-known lawyer in his home county of Norfolk. In 1571, he started working as a legal advisor for the church leaders in Norwich. By 1573, he also advised the town of Great Yarmouth. He even worked for a famous merchant named Sir Thomas Gresham. The town of Norwich gave him a silver cup for his legal help. Some people he helped also gave him regular payments.
In 1572, Edward Flowerdew was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Castle Rising. An MP is someone elected to represent an area in the country's government. Later, he became an MP for Norwich in 1581.
He became a "serjeant-at-law" on October 16, 1580. This was a very high rank for a lawyer. He also became the recorder of Great Yarmouth. A recorder was a judge in a town or city. On October 23, 1584, he became a "baron of the exchequer." This meant he was a judge in a special court that handled money matters for the King or Queen.
In 1585, he was part of a special group of judges. They heard the case of Dr. William Parry. Dr. Parry was found guilty of a serious crime against the Queen.
Later Life and Death
In the winter of 1585 and 1586, Edward Flowerdew traveled to South Wales for his judicial duties. In March 1586, he held a court session in Exeter. This event is known as the Black Assize of Exeter. During this time, a serious sickness, sometimes called "gaol fever," spread. Edward Flowerdew caught the sickness and died between March 14 and April 4, 1586. He was buried at Hethersett Church.
Edward Flowerdew bought Stanfield Hall in 1564. He also married Elizabeth Foster of Wymondham. In 1575, he bought the land where Wymondham Abbey used to be. The local people wanted to save the church building there. They even paid money to buy it. However, Flowerdew took lead from the roof and stones from the building. Because of this, the local people took the church apart themselves. Edward Flowerdew did not have any children when he died. His lands were sold off after his death.
Family Connections
Edward Flowerdew was the fourth son of John Flowerdew and Catherine Sheres. Edward had a brother named William Flowerdew. William married Frances Appleyard. Frances was the half-sister of Amy Robsart. Amy Robsart was the first wife of Robert Dudley, a powerful nobleman.
Through his brother William's son, Anthony Flowerdew, Edward Flowerdew is connected to Temperance Flowerdew. Temperance Flowerdew was a notable person in early American history. She was related to Ensign Edmund Rossingham. Edmund Rossingham was one of the people from the Flowerdew Hundred who went to the first General Assembly in Jamestown in 1619. This was an important meeting in the early days of the American colonies.
