John Prysot facts for kids

Sir John Prysot (died 1461) was an important English judge. He held many key legal roles during the 1400s, including the top position of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He was also a knight.

Early Career of Sir John Prysot

Sir John Prysot began his legal career in the late 1430s. He worked in the English counties of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

First Steps in Law

In 1437, he became a Justice of the Peace in Cambridgeshire. This role meant he helped keep law and order in the local area. The next year, in 1438, he was appointed an Escheator for Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. An escheator was someone who managed property that went back to the King, often when someone died without an heir.

In 1443, he served again as a Justice of the Peace, this time for Hertfordshire. Later that year, he became a Serjeant-at-law, which was a very important type of lawyer. The next year, he was promoted to King's Serjeant, meaning he was a lawyer who advised the King directly.

Rising Through the Ranks

From 1445 to 1447, Sir John Prysot worked as a legal advisor for the Duchy of Lancaster. This was a large area of land and property owned by the King. In 1448, he became an Assize Justice for Ely. An Assize Justice was a judge who traveled around the country to hear legal cases.

His career took a big leap forward in 1449. On January 16, he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. This was a very high position, making him the main judge for common legal cases in England. It was quite unusual because he had never been a regular judge, called a Puisne Justice, before this top appointment.

Later Life and Achievements

After becoming Chief Justice, Sir John Prysot continued to be very active. He worked on important legal tasks outside of Westminster, the main center of government.

Special Commissions

In 1451, he served on a special group called a commission of Oyer and terminer in Kent. This group was set up to investigate crimes after a rebellion led by Jack Cade. He served on similar commissions in Lincolnshire in 1452 and in York in 1454.

Royal Duties and Knighthood

Sir John Prysot also played a role in Parliament. In 1453 and 1455, he helped review requests, called petitions, from areas like Gascony and other places outside England.

In 1455, he was part of a group in Hertfordshire that raised money to defend Calais, an important English town in France. In 1459, he became a Feoffee for various estates belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster. A feoffee was someone who held land for others, often for their benefit. In the same year, he was also made a knight, which meant he received the title "Sir."

Death

Sir John Prysot passed away early in 1461. He was buried in Wallington, Hertfordshire.