John Bridgeman (judge) facts for kids

Sir John Bridgeman (born 1568 or 1569 – died 1638) was an important English lawyer and judge who lived a long time ago, during the early 1600s. He was known as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court. Later, he became a serjeant-at-law, which was a very senior and respected position for a lawyer in England at that time. He also became a powerful person in the West of England.

Early Life and Legal Training

John Bridgeman came from a family that lived in Littledean, Gloucestershire. He started his education at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1582. After that, he studied law at two places in London: Clifford's Inn and then the Inner Temple. The Inner Temple was one of the main places where people trained to become barristers.

During this time, he married Frances Daunt. They had at least two children:

• George Bridgeman
• Anne Bridgeman, who married John Winford

In 1600, John Bridgeman officially became a barrister, ready to practice law.

Becoming a Well-Known Lawyer

Most of John Bridgeman's legal work was in the Court of Common Pleas, which was a court that dealt with disputes between ordinary people. He even wrote down reports of the cases that happened in this court between 1613 and 1621.

As he became more successful, he started buying land. In 1613, he bought the manor of Nympsfield in Gloucestershire. He also worked as a lawyer for important cities. For example, in 1614, he was the lawyer for the city of Gloucester. In 1615, he became a bencher of the Inner Temple, which meant he was one of the senior members who helped manage the legal society.

In 1622, he helped the city of Exeter in a legal case. He also worked as a lawyer for a powerful nobleman, Lord Zouche.

Rising to Judge and Knight

The year 1623 was a big one for John Bridgeman. He received several important appointments:

• On June 30, 1623, he joined the Council of the Marches, a special council that governed parts of Wales and the English counties bordering Wales.
• In October 1623, he was made a serjeant-at-law, a very high rank for a lawyer.
• On December 7, 1623, he was knighted, which meant he was given the title "Sir John Bridgeman."

With the help of his friend Sir Thomas Coventry, who had also studied law at the Inner Temple, Sir John Bridgeman was appointed to a very important job in February 1626: Chief Justice of Chester. This was a top judicial position in the legal system for parts of Wales and the English border counties.

Life as a Judge in Wales

As the Chief Justice of Chester, Sir John Bridgeman also kept his position on the Council in the Marches. He often acted as a deputy for the leaders of the Council. He was very dedicated to his many duties. He also served as a justice of the peace (a local judge) in Wales and the border areas, and as a recorder (a judge who presides over certain courts) for several towns, including Gloucester, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, and Wenlock.

In 1628, Sir John and his son George bought Prinknash Park, a large estate near Gloucester. This beautiful place became their family home.

Sir John Bridgeman died in 1638 in Ludlow. He is buried in St Laurence's Church in Ludlow. There is a monument there dedicated to him and his wife, which is believed to have been made by a famous sculptor named Francesco Fanelli.