Justice in eyre facts for kids

The justices in eyre were special judges in old English law. They were very important officials who looked after the royal forests. Their main job was to make sure that the rules about the forests were obeyed. They also checked on the condition of the forests and the people who managed them. The word "eyre" means "circuit," which shows that these judges traveled around to different forests.

These judges were usually called "justice of the forest" for a long time. Later, during the time of King Henry VIII, they became known as "justice in eyre." There were usually two main justices: one for the forests north of the River Trent and one for the forests south of it.

A famous old legal writer named Henry de Bracton explained that these judges would often talk with important local people, sometimes called busones. These local people were similar to what we now call justices of the peace, who help manage local areas.

Over time, the special laws for the forests became less important. Because of this, the job of justice in eyre became more of an honorary title with less actual work. In 1817, a law was passed that decided to end the position after the people currently holding the job passed away.

Important Forest Justices

For many years, there were two main justices in eyre: one for the forests north of the River Trent and one for the forests south of it. Before 1236, the system was a bit different, and sometimes one justice oversaw all the forests in England.

Early Justices for All England

• John Marshall (appointed 1217)
• Brian de l'Isle (appointed 1220 and again in 1229 for specific counties)
• Hugh de Neville (appointed 1224)
• Peter d'Airvault (appointed 1232)

Justices North of the Trent

After 1236, a justice was specifically appointed for the forests north of the River Trent. Many important people held this role over the centuries. Here are a few examples:

• Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy (1509–1537)
• Thomas Cromwell (1537–1540), a very powerful figure during Henry VIII's reign.
• George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (1560–1590)
• William Cavendish (1661–1676)
• Thomas Osborne, 4th Duke of Leeds (1761–1774)
• The Hon. John Charles Villiers (1790–1838), one of the last to hold this position.

Justices South of the Trent

Similarly, a justice was appointed for the forests south of the River Trent. This was also a role held by many notable individuals throughout history. Here are some examples:

• Richard de Montfiquet (appointed 1236), one of the first specifically for the south.
• Henrici de Bracton (appointed after 1245), the legal writer mentioned earlier.
• Roger de Clifford (died 1285?) (appointed 1265)
• Hugh le Despenser (appointed several times, including 1296 and 1307), a powerful noble.
• William of Wykeham (appointed 1361), a famous bishop and architect.
• Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (1415–1447), a royal duke.
• Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1534–1545), a close friend of Henry VIII.
• Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (1585–1588), a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
• Thomas Grenville (1800–1846), one of the very last justices in eyre.