James Hobart facts for kids
Sir James Hobart (born 1436, died 1517) was an important lawyer and government official in England. He was also known as James Hoberd or James Hubbard. He came from Norfolk and studied law at a place called Lincoln's Inn. Later, he became the King's top lawyer, known as the attorney-general, and was made a knight by King Henry VII.
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Sir James Hobart's Career
Early Legal Work
James Hobart began his law career during the time of King Edward IV of England. He helped powerful people like John Mowbray, the Duke of Norfolk, with legal matters. It is thought that he was the James Hoberd who served as a representative for Ipswich in the English Parliament in 1467 and 1478. In 1479, he was chosen as a "Lent reader" at his law school, which was an important teaching role.
Serving King Henry VII
King Henry VII appointed James Hobart as his attorney-general on November 1, 1486. This meant he was the King's main lawyer, giving legal advice and representing the King in court. He also became a member of the privy council, a group of trusted advisors to the King.
In 1487, Hobart took on many important tasks for the King. He helped organize soldiers in Norfolk. He also worked with others to manage fishing on the east coast and oversaw repairs for the harbor in Yarmouth.
Key Responsibilities
In 1489, James Hobart served on two special groups. One group dealt with legal cases in Ipswich and Norwich. The other worked to keep the peace and investigate serious crimes in Suffolk. In 1501, he was called a "serjeant" (a senior lawyer) when he tried a case in York. King Henry, Prince of Wales, made him a knight on February 18, 1502.
Hobart left his role as attorney-general in 1507. This happened after a disagreement about legal orders called praemunire facias.
Sir James Hobart's Family Life
James Hobart was the youngest son of Thomas Hobart from Leyham in Norfolk. He was married three times. His first wife was Margery, who was the sister of John Lyhert. His second wife was Dorothy Glemham. His third wife was Margery or Margaret Naunton, who had been married before. She passed away in 1517. One of his daughters, Catherine, married Thomas Curzon.
Hobart lived at his home, Hales Hall in Norfolk. He was good friends with John Paston, and his name often appears in the famous collection of letters known as the Paston Letters.
Sir James Hobart's tomb is in the main part of the Norwich Cathedral. His great-grandson, Sir Henry Hobart, also became a very important judge.
Holy Trinity Church in Loddon
Sir James Hobart paid for the building of the Holy Trinity Church in Loddon in 1490. There was a special stained glass window in the church that showed Hobart and his wife, Lady Margaret, praying. This window is now a painting.
Underneath their figures, there was a Latin message. It said that people should pray for James Hobart, who was a knight and the King's attorney general. It also mentioned that he built the church from its very foundations using his own money, and it took three years to build, finishing in the eleventh year of King Henry VII's reign.
