John FitzJames facts for kids

Sir John Fitzjames (born around 1465 or 1470 – died around 1542) was a very important judge in England. He served as the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1526 until 1539. This meant he was the head judge for many important cases in the King's court.

Sir John Fitzjames: A Key Judge

Sir John Fitzjames was the nephew of Richard Fitzjames, who was the Bishop of London. Sir John held several other significant legal positions before becoming Lord Chief Justice. He was the Recorder of Bristol, which meant he was a judge in the city of Bristol. He also served as the Attorney-General for England and Wales, acting as the chief lawyer for the King. Another role he held was Chief Baron of the Exchequer, leading the court that handled the King's money matters.

Important Legal Advice

Sir John Fitzjames was known for his legal wisdom. He was often consulted on important legal questions during his time.

Advice on Thomas More's Case

According to a book written by William Roper about Sir Thomas More, Sir John Fitzjames gave important advice during a famous trial. When Lord Chancellor Thomas Audley was deciding on the case of Sir Thomas More in 1535, he asked Fitzjames for his opinion. Fitzjames, known for his clear thinking, said that if the law passed by Parliament was valid, then the legal charges against More were strong enough. This opinion helped the Lord Chancellor make his final decision in the case.

Advice on King's Proclamations

Later that same month, the King's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, wanted to stop money from being sent out of the country. He wondered if the King could do this just by making a special announcement, called a proclamation, even if there wasn't a specific law about it. Cromwell asked Fitzjames about this. Fitzjames replied that a proclamation from the King could be "as good as any law made by Parliament." Cromwell was very pleased with this answer.

Later Life and Family

In 1536, after the Parliament that brought about many changes in England, King Henry VIII rewarded Fitzjames with £40. This was a significant amount of money at the time.

Sir John Fitzjames got married after 1514. His wife was Elizabeth, who was the daughter of another important judge, Sir Humphrey Coningsby. Elizabeth had been married before. She passed away sometime between November 1545 and May 1546.