John Jenour facts for kids

John Jenour (1465–17 September 1542) was an important legal official in Britain. He worked in the courts and helped shape the law during his time. He was born in 1465 in Stonham Aspal, Suffolk. His father was William Jenour and his mother was Katherine Whiting. John also had a younger brother, Robert, who also worked in the legal field.

Starting His Career

John Jenour began his legal career in 1491. He worked as an attorney for the Court of Common Pleas. This was a very important court in England that handled many legal cases. An attorney is like a lawyer who represents people in court.

In 1503, John got a promotion. He became a Filazer for the areas of Devon, Dorset, and Somerset. A Filazer was a court officer who helped prepare legal documents and records for trials. This job showed that he was trusted with important paperwork for the court.

A Key Role in the Courts

John Jenour was promoted again in 1510. He became the Second Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas. This was a very senior position. As a Prothonotary, John was in charge of recording all the legal arguments and decisions made in court. He made sure everything was written down correctly.

His work was so good that a book he wrote, called a "book of entries," was sometimes used as a reference in court. This means his records were considered very accurate and helpful. A copy of this important book is still kept today at the Library of Congress.

Training Future Leaders

Even though John Jenour did not become a judge himself, he had a huge impact on the legal world. He was like a teacher and mentor to many young lawyers. He trained several people who later became very famous and powerful judges.

Some of the important judges he trained include:

• Sir Robert Catlyn
• Sir Robert Broke
• Sir Anthony Browne
• James Dyer

All these individuals became Chief Justices, which is the highest judge in a court. This shows how skilled John Jenour was at teaching and guiding others.

His Family's Legacy

John Jenour passed away on 17 September 1542. He left behind two sons. His older son, Richard, later became a Member of Parliament. This means he helped make laws for the country. Richard also worked as a clerk for the Court of General Surveyors, another important legal role. John's younger son, Robert, also became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer, but he was not as well-known as his brother or father.

John Jenour's life shows how one person, even without the highest title, can have a lasting influence on many people and on the legal system itself.