John de Batesford facts for kids
John de Batesford was an important English judge who lived a long time ago. He passed away in 1319.
A Judge's Life
Traveling Judge
In 1293, John de Batesford started his work as a judge. He was sent with another judge, William Haward. They traveled to many counties like York, Northumberland, and Lancaster. Their job was to act as a special kind of judge called a justice of assize.
This special judge role was created to help with too many legal cases. Regular judges were very busy, especially near the end of King Henry III's rule. King Edward I first started these special judge groups in 1274. They were used on and off until 1311. Each time, these special judge groups worked for about one year.
Helping the King
In 1301, King Edward I sent Batesford on another important mission. He went to counties like Southampton, Surrey, and Sussex. His task was to talk with important local people and communities. The king needed to ask them for a supply of grain.
In 1307, Batesford joined a special group of judges called the commission of trailbaston. This group dealt with a specific type of criminal. These criminals were gangs who carried clubs (called baston or baton). They would hurt and even kill people for money. Batesford's job was to help try these dangerous criminals.
Royal Duties
In 1308, Batesford was called to attend the king's coronation. This shows he was an important figure in the legal system. In 1310, he was part of another special group of judges. This group, called the commission of oyer and terminer, worked in Warwick and Leicester. Their job was to try criminals who had been reported to the peacekeepers.
In 1311, Batesford was again sent as a justice of assize. He traveled to counties like Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Cornwall. Later that same year, he left Parliament without the king's permission. He was quickly called back and told not to leave again without the king's approval.
Later Years
From 1295 to 1318, John de Batesford was regularly called to attend Parliament. His name is not on the list for the Parliament in 1319. This suggests he had passed away by then. In 1320, the people handling his affairs were told to send all his court records to the exchequer. The exchequer was like the government's money and records department.
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