Henry Gosnold facts for kids
Henry Gosnold (born around 1560 – died around 1658) was an English lawyer who lived most of his very long life in Ireland. He was a member of the Irish House of Commons, which was like Ireland's parliament back then. He also held important jobs as the Chief Justice of Munster and a special judge for sea-related cases in the same area.
Today, people mostly remember him because he was good friends with the famous writer and philosopher Francis Bacon. Henry Gosnold was also known for his clever wit and jokes during his lifetime. A few of his jokes are still remembered today!
Contents
Early Life and Friends
Henry Gosnold was the son of John Gosnold. His family was well-known in Otley, Suffolk, England. His cousin was the famous explorer Bartholomew Gosnold. We don't know his exact birth year, but he was probably born shortly after 1560. We know this because he said he was over 80 years old in 1646.
Henry went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university, in 1577. He later studied law at Gray's Inn in 1581. Even as a student, he was known for being witty and clever. This might be why he became friends with Francis Bacon, who was said to be a distant relative. Their friendship stayed strong even after they finished studying. In 1592, they visited Twickenham together. Their friendship continued even after Henry moved to Ireland in 1594.
One of Henry's jokes that still exists is about Francis Bacon. Bacon was trying hard to become the Attorney General, a top legal job, but Queen Elizabeth I chose someone else, Sir Edward Coke. Gosnold joked, "If it please her Majesty, the Bacon may be too hard for the Cook (Coke)." This was a play on words, using Bacon's name and Coke's name, which sounded like "cook."
Life in Ireland
Henry Gosnold first went to Ireland in 1594. He worked as a secretary for William, Lord Russell, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Francis Bacon might have suggested Henry for this job.
Henry wrote to Bacon about his first impressions of Ireland. He liked the weather, saying the air was "clement" (mild) and the soil was "healthy." However, he didn't like the Irish people at the time, saying he would "never wish (to be in) a worse place" for "cruelty and beggary."
Becoming a Judge in Munster
In 1596, Henry Gosnold became the Attorney General for the area of Munster in Ireland. In the courts of Munster, lawyers usually moved up the ranks. First, they became Attorney General, then Second Justice, and finally, Chief Justice. Henry followed this path. He became Second Justice in 1608 and then Chief Justice in 1624.
He also served as a judge for sea-related cases, called an Admiralty judge, for much of his time as a judge. He shared this job with Sir Robert Travers. Even though there were many complaints about Travers being corrupt, Henry Gosnold continued his work. Until 1635, Munster had the only regional Admiralty court in Ireland.
Working with Important Leaders
Like Francis Bacon, Henry Gosnold was supported by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. Essex was a powerful nobleman, and Henry was distantly related to him. When Essex was in Ireland, Henry often spent time with him.
Essex later returned to England and faced serious trouble. This was very worrying for Henry. In 1599, he wrote to Essex, concerned about rumors that Essex was in disgrace. Sadly, the rumors turned out to be true.
After Essex was executed for treason in 1601, Henry Gosnold, like many important people in Munster, became a supporter of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. This powerful leader was known as the "Great Earl."
Lord Cork built up a lot of political power in County Cork. He did this by creating new towns, which then became areas that could send his chosen people to the Irish Parliament. Henry Gosnold, along with another judge, Sir Edward Harris, became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Clonakilty in the Parliament of 1613-1615. He also worked as a judge in Youghal for a while, stepping down in 1617. Henry was especially close to Bandon, another new town in Cork.
Honest Judge
As an Admiralty judge in the 1620s, Henry Gosnold often disagreed with Henry De Laune, who was in charge of sea matters for Munster. De Laune didn't like that Gosnold insisted all goods taken from pirate ships had to go through the proper legal process. De Laune also complained that Gosnold's awards were too small. In return, Gosnold accused De Laune of keeping the valuable goods for himself.
Compared to other officials at the time, Henry Gosnold was known for being honest. His rival, Sir Robert Travers, was known for being very corrupt. In the 1630s, Henry did ask if he could keep the fines he ordered people to pay. However, when the King's government told him it was wrong, he followed their instructions.
Later Life and Family
Henry Gosnold continued to work as an Admiralty judge into the early 1640s. But during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, he couldn't do his job as a judge. Like many landowners in Munster, he lost a lot of money and property because of the rebellion. He was luckier than his rival Travers, who was killed in a battle.
In 1646, Henry asked the English Parliament for money because he was over 80 years old and in great financial trouble. His request was approved! Parliament allowed a payment of 150 pounds to be given to a merchant on Henry's behalf. The special court in Munster was closed in 1655. Henry Gosnold was known to have lived to "a great age." He was probably still alive when the court closed and likely died in 1658, when he would have been almost 100 years old.
Family Life
Henry Gosnold was married twice. His first wife was Wilgeford George, and his second wife was named Fenton. He had several children. At least two of them, John and Rachel, lived to be adults. His family members mostly lived near Skibereen and Clonakilty. Their family properties were small, probably because Henry lost so much during the rebellion. His descendants usually spelled their family name Gosnell or Gosling.
