Francis Beaumont (MP) facts for kids
.svg)
Francis Beaumont (who died in 1598) was an important judge from Grace-Dieu in Belton, England. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Early Life and Family
Francis Beaumont was the oldest son of another judge, John Beaumont. His mother was Elizabeth Hastings. She was the daughter of William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.
Becoming a Judge
We don't know much about Francis Beaumont's very early schooling. He attended Peterhouse, Cambridge, which is part of Cambridge University. He was there when Queen Elizabeth I visited the university.
Francis Beaumont studied law at a famous legal school called the Inner Temple in London. He became a lawyer and was known for being very good at his job.
In 1572, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Aldeburgh. This meant he helped make laws for the country. Later, in 1589, he became a Serjeant-at-Law, which was a very senior type of lawyer. On January 25, 1593, he was made a judge in the Court of Common Pleas. This court handled many important legal cases.
Family Life
Francis Beaumont married Anne Pierrepont. She was the daughter of Sir George Pierrepont. Anne had been married before to Thomas Thorold.
Francis and Anne had three sons and one daughter:
- Sir Henry Beaumont (1581–1605) became a knight in 1603. He passed away when he was 24 years old.
- Sir John Beaumont, 1st Baronet
- Francis Beaumont, who became a famous writer of plays.
- Elizabeth Beaumont, who married Sir Thomas Seyliard from Kent.
His Passing
In 1598, Judge Beaumont became ill while working at the Assizes of the Northern Circuit. Assizes were court sessions held in different parts of the country. He caught a sickness called gaol fever, which is now thought to be typhus. This disease often spread from prisoners to others in the courtroom. Many people would get sick and pass away quickly during these "Black Assizes."
Francis Beaumont died at his home in Grace-Dieu on April 22, 1598. He was buried in the church in Belton on June 12.
His Legacy
William Burton, who wrote about the history of Leicestershire, knew Francis Beaumont. He described him as a "grave, learned, and reverend judge." This means he was seen as a serious, wise, and respected person.
