Richard Martin (Recorder of London) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Martin
Richard Martin, 1620, by Simon de Passe.
Born	1570 (1570)
Died	1618 (aged 47–48)
Occupation	English lawyer and politician

Richard Martin (1570–1618) was an English lawyer and speaker who supported the Virginia Company. He was chosen to be the Recorder of the City of London in 1618. This important job, like a chief legal advisor, was given to him by King James I. Sadly, he passed away shortly after taking on this role.

Richard Martin: Lawyer and Friend

Richard Martin studied at Oxford University. He then joined the Middle Temple in 1587. This was one of the special schools in London that taught people how to become lawyers during the Elizabethan era.

He was part of a group of smart people, including poets and writers like John Donne and Ben Jonson. They often met at the Mermaid Tavern in London. People liked Richard Martin because he was friendly, good-looking, and spoke very well.

In the winter of 1597-1598, he was chosen to lead the big Christmas parties, called "revels," at the Middle Temple. To lead these parties, you had to be good at singing, dancing, and music. You also needed to be skilled in public speaking and law.

The poet John Davies dedicated his 1596 poem "Orchestra" to Martin. However, they later had a disagreement. Davies was temporarily removed from his legal work because of this. He later apologized to Martin and was allowed to practice law again. Davies went on to have a very successful legal career.

Richard Martin also helped his friend Ben Jonson. He defended Jonson's play "The Poetaster" to the chief judge, Sir John Popham. Jonson later thanked Martin for being a "noble and kindly undertaker" for him.

Parliament and the Virginia Company

Richard Martin became a member of Parliament for Barnstaple in 1601. When Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Martin was chosen to give a speech. He welcomed the new King James to London on behalf of the city. In his speech, he talked about the size of the new kingdom. He also warned the king about the dangers of piracy at sea. This speech was printed and shared that same year.

Martin was also a Member of Parliament for Christchurch from 1604 to 1611. From 1612, he worked as a lawyer for the Virginia Company. This company was helping to set up colonies in America.

In 1613, Richard Martin helped create a special show called The Memorable Masque of the Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn. This show was performed for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth. It featured people dressed as Native Americans from Virginia. It also talked about finding gold in a place called Guiana.

In 1614, Martin spoke to Parliament about the Colony of Virginia. He was representing the Virginia Company. He was very interested in the Bermuda Islands, also known as the Somers Isles. In 1615, he helped start the Somers Isles Company to manage this colony.

When Sir Anthony Benn died in 1618, King James suggested Richard Martin for the job of Recorder of London. This was a very important legal position for the Lord Mayor. Martin was chosen for the role. However, he sadly died about a month later, in November 1618, from smallpox. He was buried in the Temple Church in London.

In 1617, the Virginia Company needed more money. So, groups of private investors were allowed to set up their own settlements in Virginia. One of the first groups, started in 1618, was called the Society of Martin's Hundred. It was named in honor of Richard Martin. He had spoken so well about Virginia in Parliament in 1614. Martin's Hundred was a large area, about 80,000 acres (320 km²). It was located about seven miles (11 km) from Jamestown, Virginia, along the James River.

Images for kids

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  Richard Martin, 1620, by Simon de Passe.