Lawrence Tanfield facts for kids
Sir Lawrence Tanfield (born around 1551 – died April 30, 1625) was an important English lawyer and politician. He held a very high position as the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, which meant he was a top judge in charge of money matters for the King. However, people often said he was unfair, and he and his wife were known for being very strict with the people who rented land from them. Their harshness was remembered for a long time after they passed away.
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Who Was Sir Lawrence Tanfield?
Lawrence Tanfield was the oldest son of Robert Tanfield. He grew up in a place called Burford. He went to school at Eton College, a famous school, and then studied law at the Inner Temple. By 1579, he was ready to work as a lawyer. His career became very successful, partly because of his first wife's uncle, Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley, who was a powerful person at the Queen's court.
A Career in Law and Politics
Sir Lawrence Tanfield became a Member of Parliament, which means he was elected to represent people in the government. He represented a town called Woodstock many times between 1584 and 1601. In 1604, he was elected to represent the whole area of Oxfordshire. That same year, he was also made a knight.
He continued to rise in the legal world. In 1603, he became a Serjeant-at-law, which was a very senior lawyer. Then, in 1606, he became a judge in the King’s Bench. By 1607, he reached the top of his career as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer. As a judge, some people thought he wasn't always fair, but no one ever proved these claims.
Landowner and Family Life
In 1586, Tanfield bought a large estate called Burford Priory in Oxfordshire. Later, in 1611, he also bought the lands of Burford and Great Tew. In 1622, he changed how some of this land was used, which caused big disagreements with his neighbors and the people who lived on his land. He was known for being a very strict landlord. He also had a collection of paintings at Burford.
Sir Lawrence Tanfield was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Symonds, and they had a daughter named Elizabeth. His second wife was Elizabeth Evans.
Legends and Legacy
Sir Lawrence Tanfield passed away in 1625 and was buried in a church in Burford. His second wife paid for a grand memorial to be built for them in the church. People said she was so determined that she just took over a part of the church to put the memorial there, without asking for permission!
He left his lands to his grandson, Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland. His only daughter, Elizabeth, had married Henry Cary, 1st Viscount Falkland. She became a writer and later changed her religion, which caused a disagreement with her father. This might be why he decided to leave his property to his grandson instead of his daughter. Years later, in the 1630s, Great Tew became a famous place where many smart thinkers and writers gathered.
Even after his death, stories about Sir Lawrence Tanfield and his second wife continued. People said their ghosts were seen racing around Burford in a fiery coach, bringing bad luck to anyone who saw them. These spooky stories show how much people disliked them when they were alive. It's also said that for 200 years after Tanfield died, people would burn a dummy of him and his wife on the anniversary of his death, showing how strongly they felt about him.
