John Wilde (jurist) facts for kids

John Wilde (sometimes spelled Wylde; 1590–1669) was an English lawyer and politician. He was known as Serjeant Wilde because of his important legal role as a serjeant-at-law. Later, he became a judge and even the chief judge of the Exchequer court. He was also a member of the Council of State during the time England was a republic, known as the Commonwealth.

Early Life and Education

John Wilde was the son of George Wylde, who was also a lawyer and a Member of Parliament (MP). John was born in Worcestershire, England.

He started his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, when he was 14 years old in 1605. He earned his first degree in 1607 and a master's degree in 1610.

Around 1602, Wilde began studying law at the Inner Temple, one of England's famous law schools. He became a qualified lawyer in 1612. By 1636, he was a "serjeant-at-law," a very senior lawyer who could argue cases in the highest courts. He also served as an MP for Droitwich several times between 1620 and 1640.

In 1626, during a parliamentary debate, he spoke against a powerful figure named George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham. Wilde argued that even common rumors could be enough to accuse someone of wrongdoing, using old legal texts to support his point.

A Member of the Long Parliament

In 1640, John Wilde was elected to the Long Parliament for Worcestershire. This Parliament was very important because it clashed with King Charles I, leading to the English Civil War.

Wilde became a key figure in Parliament. He led a committee that prepared charges against 13 bishops who were accused of making new church rules without Parliament's approval. He presented these charges to the House of Lords in 1641.

In 1642, he chaired a committee investigating a plot to use the army against Parliament. He also led a committee that met in the Guildhall, London, to discuss the safety of the kingdom and Parliament's rights, especially after the King tried to arrest some MPs.

When the First English Civil War began, Parliament chose Wilde to help manage affairs in Worcestershire. He was also recommended to become the chief judge of the Exchequer court, though this didn't happen right away. He was one of the members of the Westminster Assembly, a group that met to reform the Church of England.

The Great Seal and Important Trials

Parliament decided to create a new Great Seal of the Realm because the old one had been taken by a royal supporter to the King. John Wilde was chosen as one of six commissioners to look after this new seal. They kept it for three years, showing Parliament's growing power.

Wilde was also one of the main lawyers for Parliament during the trial of Archbishop William Laud, a very important church leader. The trial started in 1644. Wilde served on many other important committees in Parliament.

In 1646, he became the chief judge of the Exchequer court. This was a very high position. Even when King Charles I was put on trial in 1649, Wilde, like other judges, chose not to attend the proceedings. He continued to serve as a judge under the new government, the Commonwealth, and was elected to the first English Council of State, which was like a government cabinet.

Life During the Protectorate

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector of England. Cromwell replaced John Wilde as chief judge with someone else. Wilde was upset by this and left his judicial role. He likely returned to his home in Worcestershire.

However, he still served as a local judge (justice of the peace) and helped with collecting taxes in his county.

When Oliver Cromwell's son, Richard Cromwell, became Lord Protector, Wilde returned to Parliament in 1659. He asked to be given his old job back and to be paid money he was owed. He didn't get his old job back, but he was paid.

Return to the Bench and Retirement

When the Parliament returned to power in 1659, John Wilde was again asked to serve as a judge. He was restored to his position as chief judge of the Exchequer court in January 1660.

Later that year, King Charles II returned to England, ending the Commonwealth period. The King appointed a new chief judge. However, because Wilde had helped Parliament in some ways, he was not punished and received a general pardon.

John Wilde retired at the age of 70 to his home in Hampstead. He passed away in 1669, around 79 years old. He was buried at Wherwell Abbey in Hampshire.

Family Life

John Wilde married Anne Harries, the daughter of another lawyer, Sir Thomas Harries. Sadly, Anne passed away in 1624 at the age of 16, during the birth of their only child, also named Anne. There is no record that John Wilde married again. His daughter Anne later married Charles West, the 5th Baron De La Warr.

Images for kids

• George Wylde I.jpg

  George Wylde I, John Wilde's father.