John Keating (judge) facts for kids
John Keating (around 1630–1691) was an important Irish judge in the late 1600s. He was known for being very honest, fair, and kind. He held a high position as the Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas. Because he was loyal to King James II of England, he lost his job after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. Later, he faced serious accusations and trouble.
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Early Life and Career
John Keating was born in Dublin. He was the second son of Edmund Keating and Elizabeth (or Elinor) Eustace. His mother's brother was Sir Maurice Eustace, who later became a very important judge called the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. John had an older brother, Oliver, and a sister, Catherine. Catherine married two judges, including Colonel Nicholas Cusack, a leader who supported King James II.
Like his uncle Maurice, John Keating was a member of the Church of Ireland. However, he was very open-minded about different religions. This led some people to think he might secretly be a Catholic later in his life. The Keating family often stayed with Maurice Eustace at his home in Palmerstown. This estate later became John and his wife's home.
Keating finished his studies at Trinity College Dublin in 1655. He then joined Lincoln's Inn in London in 1657 to study law. Some people said he wasn't very good at law at first. His friends, though, said he was busy trying to win over Grace, Lady Shuckburgh, whom he married in 1659.
In 1661, he returned to Ireland. He became a Deputy Clerk for the Irish House of Commons. This job meant he traveled a lot between Dublin and London. He was very energetic, once completing a round trip in just twelve days during winter. He was paid well for his hard work. Because he was so diligent, he later received an extra payment.
He joined the King's Inns in 1662. Even with earlier doubts about his legal skills, he quickly became known as a talented lawyer. His uncle, the Lord Chancellor, suggested him for a judge's job. However, Keating decided to take a smaller role as Attorney General to the Duke of York (who later became King James II). He said he couldn't afford to stop being a lawyer yet. He also didn't want to make his older colleagues jealous.
He also gave legal advice to several members of the Butler dynasty, a powerful family. In 1675, he became a judge for the special court of County Tipperary. This job was given by the Duke of Ormonde. It was often seen as an easy job rather than a very important one.
Becoming Chief Justice
It might seem strange that John Keating became the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1679. He had not wanted a high court job before. Also, he only had experience as a judge in Tipperary. What was even more surprising was that he was chosen when many people were very suspicious of Catholics. There were even rumors that Keating himself might be accused of being part of a plot against the King.
It is thought that King Charles II of England chose Keating because he was known for being tolerant. This meant he probably wouldn't be swayed by the strong anti-Catholic feelings at the time. The King especially wanted him to dismiss a false charge of treason against Richard Power. Keating did this. As fears about the "Popish Plot" faded, Keating showed he didn't believe in it. He helped several people accused in the plot to be found innocent.
In the years that followed, he became known for his honesty, fairness, and kindness. This sometimes made him unpopular with politicians. He was offered an even higher judge position in 1681 but turned it down. He worked very hard in 1681-1682. This was because his fellow judges were often sick or had died, so he had to handle many cases alone. He also helped manage the Erasmus Smith schools.
While he was kind to most people, he was very strict with those who stole cattle. Cattle theft was a big problem back then. In a famous case in 1689, he made a new rule. He refused to let two convicted cattle thieves use an old legal defense for a first offense. Both were then hanged.
Losing His Job and Later Life
The years between 1688 and 1691 were very difficult politically. John Keating wanted to keep his job, unlike some other judges. When King James II first came to Ireland, Keating was very loyal to him. He publicly prayed for the King and called the Glorious Revolution an "invasion." King James seemed impressed. Keating was given an important role at the start of the Patriot Parliament in 1689. However, within days, his enemies had him removed from the King's special advisory group. It is also said that he didn't like having Catholic judges as colleagues, even though he was usually tolerant.
When King James II's cause failed the next year, Keating was in a very tough spot. He probably didn't expect to keep his job. Yet, he tried to make friends with the new government. His brother-in-law, Colonel Cusack, might have helped him. Cusack was involved in the talks for the Treaty of Limerick. However, Keating's efforts were not well received. He was removed from his job, put in prison for a while, and faced serious accusations.
Family Life
In 1659, John Keating married Grace Holte. She was the daughter of a well-known landowner, Sir Thomas Holte. Grace was also the widow of Sir Richard Shuckburgh. Grace passed away in 1677. Keating built a memorial for her in Palmerstown Chapel in Dublin. The inscription on it showed how happy their marriage was. He also built a similar memorial in her family's church in Lower Shuckburgh, England.
John and Grace did not have any children together. Grace was much older than John. However, she had seven children from her first marriage. These included Sir John Shuckburgh, who was the first of the Shuckburgh Baronets. Her daughter Elizabeth married Sir Edward Waldo, and another daughter, Grace, married twice.
His Character and How He Is Remembered
Historians generally think well of John Keating as both a person and a judge. Some critics, like Elrington Ball, have said he tried too hard to keep his job. The "Cavenagh" case also shows that he could be very strict when he thought a criminal might escape justice.
However, there is strong evidence of his good qualities. A writer named Duhigg famously described him as: "the great ornament of the Irish Bench." He called him "a great magistrate who, in a difficult or troubled time, held his official position with gentle manners and perfect honesty." Duhigg also said Keating was "calm, patient, and humane" when trying prisoners. He was "clear, hardworking, and consistent" in civil cases. He was "faithful to his King and country" in his political beliefs and "attached to God" in his Christian faith.
