John Plunket (judge) facts for kids

Sir John Plunket (around 1497–1582) was an important Irish politician and judge during the time of the Tudor kings and queens. He held a very high position as the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He was also part of the Privy Council of Ireland, which was a group of trusted advisors to the monarch. Three different English rulers thought he was a valuable and loyal servant. People respected him for being honest. However, he was criticized for staying in his job even when he was very old and sick, which made it hard for him to do his duties well. He was also famous for being the fifth of six husbands of a woman named Jenet Sarsfield.

Early Life and Beginnings

John Plunket was the second son of Christopher Plunket and Catherine Bermingham. His family lived at Dunsoghly Castle in Finglas. His grandfathers, Thomas Plunket and Philip Bermingham, were also important judges. We don't know his exact birth date, but it's thought he was at least 85 when he passed away.

He studied law at a place called the Inner Temple in England. He later worked for Richard Delahide, who was a Chief Justice and married John's sister. This helped John get a job as a clerk in the Court of Common Pleas. He inherited Dunsoghly Castle sometime before 1547.

Dunsoghly Castle, Plunket's family home

Working for the Crown

During the rule of King Edward VI, John Plunket was a key helper to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir Edward Bellingham. The Lord Deputy was like the Queen's representative in Ireland. John's job included managing the Deputy's household, even simple tasks like making sure there were beds and drinks for his guests. He was also trusted by the powerful Duke of Somerset.

When Mary I became Queen, John Plunket joined the Privy Council, a group of royal advisors. He also worked on several legal projects and was said to have the Queen's personal approval.

Elizabeth I also thought highly of Plunket. As soon as she became Queen, she appointed him as her Lord Chief Justice. This was a very important job, overseeing the main courts in Ireland.

Lord Chief Justice Duties

Sir John Plunket remained a member of the Privy Council for his entire life. Until his health failed in his later years, he was one of its most active members. In 1562, he traveled to England to report to Queen Elizabeth I about what was happening in Ireland.

In 1565, when two powerful Irish families, led by the Earl of Ormond and the Earl of Desmond, had a big fight known as the Battle of Affane, Plunket was asked to investigate the reasons for the conflict. In 1567, he oversaw the taking over of some of the Desmond family's lands. He was made a knight that same year.

During a disagreement about a new tax called the cess, most landowners in the area around Dublin were against it. Sir John Plunket was almost the only one who supported the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney. This earned him Sidney's thanks. However, Sidney privately worried that Plunket was getting too old and unwell for his job.

Many leaders praised Plunket for being hardworking and honest. But from about 1577, people started complaining that he was too old and sick to do his job properly. They said he was "an old man, and evil able to attend his place with diligence." Some felt he was not as good a judge as he was an administrator, and that he was neglecting his duties.

Later Years and Passing

Sir John Plunket stayed in his important job until he passed away. By then, he was well into his 80s and was said to be very weak and even blind.

His third marriage to Jenet Sarsfield seemed happy, even though she had been married many times before. However, he faced a long legal problem between Jenet and her stepson. Sir John supported his wife in this disagreement. He was accused of being unfair, but he strongly denied it. He said he had served the Queen honestly his whole life and had always told the truth.

After a long period of declining health, he died in 1582. In his will, he mentioned that the money Jenet brought him didn't make him richer. But he did list an impressive collection of silver items.

He was known for his good deeds. He built two small chapels at Dunsoghly and a room over a local mineral spring. One of the chapels has a carving with the initials of John and Jenet. Although he was officially a member of the Church of Ireland, it is believed he quietly practiced the Roman Catholic faith.

Family Life

Sir John Plunket was married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Preston. His second wife was Catherine Luttrell, who was the sister of Sir Thomas Luttrell. All of his children were from his marriage to Catherine Luttrell. His third wife was Jenet Sarsfield.

His children were:

• James: He married Catherine FitzWilliam and had children, including Christopher. James passed away before his father.
• Robert: He married Anne Plunket.
• Alice: She married a lawyer named Richard Netterville. She passed away in 1607.
• Janet: She married Thomas Marward, and later Nicholas Nugent.
• Anne: She married William Bermingham.
• An unnamed daughter: She married Barnaby Skurlock.

Since his son James passed away before him, Dunsoghly Castle went to his grandson, Sir Christopher Plunket.

His Character

Sir John Plunket was a well-liked and respected person, often called "good Sir John Plunket." He seemed to have very few enemies. Despite the accusations of unfairness from Edward Cusack, he was highly praised for his honesty. Only in his final years was he criticized for holding onto his job when he was clearly too unwell, and for not doing his duties well. People thought one of his few flaws was being a bit proud of his family's long history.