John Glanville (judge) facts for kids
Sir John Glanville (1542 – 27 July 1600), often called the elder, was an important English Member of Parliament and judge. He lived at Kilworthy, near Tavistock, in Devon. Sir John was the first judge ever recorded to reach such a high position after starting his career as an attorney (a type of lawyer).
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Sir John Glanville's Career
Born in Tavistock, Sir John Glanville first worked as an attorney. This meant he helped people with legal matters. In 1567, he joined Lincoln's Inn, which is one of the places in London where lawyers are trained. By 1574, he was "called to the bar." This meant he was officially allowed to argue cases in court.
His work as a lawyer was very successful. He earned a lot of money and built a large house called Kilworthy, close to Tavistock. In 1589, he became a serjeant-at-law, which was a very senior type of lawyer.
Serving in Parliament
Sir John also served as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's government. He was an MP for:
- Launceston from 1584 to 1585
- Tavistock from 1586 to 1587
- St Germans in 1593
Becoming a Judge
In 1598, Sir John Glanville was appointed a judge of the Common Pleas. This was a very important court in England at the time.
Family Life
Sir John Glanville married Alice Skirret. They had three sons and four daughters.
Notable Children
One of their sons, also named Sir John Glanville the younger, became a famous lawyer too. He later became the Speaker of the House of Commons in 1640. This is a very important role in the government.
Their eldest daughter, Joan Glanville, married Sampson Hele, who was also a Member of Parliament. Another daughter, Dionis Glanville, married Thomas Polwhele.
Death and Burial
Sir John Glanville died on 27 July 1600. He was riding his horse while working as a judge, and he fell off. Sadly, he broke his neck and died. He was buried in Tavistock Church.
