John de Barton facts for kids
John de Barton was an English judge who was active around the year 1304. The term "fl." stands for floruit, which is Latin for "he flourished." It means he was active or at his peak during that time.
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Who Was John de Barton?
John de Barton came from Yorkshire, a county in England. He was also known by other names, like de Ryton and de Fryton. In his time, people often had different names linked to their family or where they lived.
Working as a Judge
John de Barton was an important figure in the legal system. He worked alongside Ralph Fitzwilliam, who was the king's special representative in Yorkshire.
The Itinerant Court
Barton was part of a special group called an itinerant court. These courts traveled around the country to hear legal cases. They were set up by the king to deal with serious crimes and keep the peace.
The Trailbaston Commission
In 1304, Barton was part of the first "commission of Trailbaston" for Yorkshire. This was a special group of judges given power to quickly deal with criminals and outlaws. Think of it like a special task force to bring order.
Other Important Tasks
John de Barton also had other important jobs.
- He was appointed as a commissioner to investigate a chest of valuable items found on the Yorkshire coast. The king claimed this treasure as his own.
- Later, during the reign of King Edward II, Barton was also tasked with collecting a special tax called "scutage" in Yorkshire. Scutage was a payment made by knights instead of serving in the army.
Military Service
Besides his work as a judge, John de Barton also had military duties.
- In 1296 (the 24th year of King Edward I's reign), he was called upon to serve in the military against the Scots.
- He was also part of the "commission of array" for Yorkshire in 1300 and again in 1303. A commission of array was a group responsible for organizing and gathering soldiers for the king's army.
