Patrick Finglas facts for kids

Patrick Finglas (died 1537) was an important Irish judge and government official in the 1500s. He was seen as a strong supporter of the English King in Ireland for most of his life. He also wrote a famous report called Of the Getting of Ireland, and of the Decay of the same. This report was about how English power in Ireland was becoming weaker.

We don't know much about his parents. However, he came from an old family who lived in a place called Finglas, in County Dublin. He later owned land in Piercetown, near Dunboyne, and in Westphailstown (or Westpalstown) in County Dublin. Westphailstown became the main home for his family. He studied law at Lincoln's Inn from 1503 to 1506. In 1509, he became a top lawyer called a Serjeant. People thought he was one of the smartest lawyers of his time. He was also a talented writer about politics.

Patrick Finglas's Career

King Henry VIII made Patrick Finglas the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer in 1520. This was a very important job as a judge dealing with money matters. Later, in 1534, he became the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench for Ireland. This was another top judge position. He took over from Sir Bartholomew Dillon, who had recently passed away.

He left this job in 1535. This was because people suspected he might not be fully loyal during the rebellion of Silken Thomas. Patrick Finglas had been willing to talk with the rebels. Even with these doubts, he served a second short time as Chief Baron until he died in 1537. He was also a member of the Privy Council of Ireland, which was a group of important advisors to the King.

The Breviat: A Special Report

Patrick Finglas wrote a report called A Breviat (summary) of the getting (conquest) of Ireland, and of the Decaie (decay) of the same. This report was about how England had taken control of Ireland and how English power was weakening there. It also suggested ways to fix problems caused by powerful Irish nobles.

In his report, he suggested several things. He wanted English lords and gentlemen to settle in the area of Leinster. He also wanted the English government to control all castles and strongholds. More surprisingly, he suggested closing down all monasteries. He believed monasteries could become places where rebellions might start. However, he did not want to force the native Irish people to leave. He thought they could be helpful if they were governed properly. His "Breviat" likely built on an earlier report from 1515, called "The Decay of Ireland." That report was written by Sir William Darcy.

Patrick Finglas's Reputation

For most of his career, the English King saw Patrick Finglas as one of the main people supporting English rule in Ireland. In 1520, a high-ranking official named the Earl of Surrey praised him. He told Cardinal Wolsey that Finglas was one of the "best willed and most diligent" people to serve the King in Ireland. Only in his last years did people start to question his loyalty. This was because of his unclear actions during the Silken Thomas rebellion.

Patrick Finglas's Family

Patrick Finglas married Isabella (or Elizabeth) Golding. They had at least three children: Thomas, Patrick, and Genet.

His son Thomas was described as owning land in Westphailstown in 1532. Thomas married Anne Cusack. She was the sister of Sir Thomas Cusack, who later became a very important judge. Like his father, Thomas was keen on improving the government. He held several administrative jobs.

His daughter Genet married Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam. They had four children. Their grandchildren included Thomas FitzWilliam, who became a Viscount.

Later family members included another Genet Finglas (died 1627). She married three times, including to John Bathe, a top lawyer, and Sir William Warren, a famous soldier. She was the daughter of the younger Patrick Finglas, who was likely the judge's son.