Robert Bourchier, 1st Baron Bourchier facts for kids
Robert Bourchier, also known as 1st Baron Bourchier, was an important person in English history. He was born sometime before 1300 and passed away on August 20, 1349. He became the Lord Chancellor of England, which was like being the king's main advisor and head of the government. What made him special was that he was the very first person who was not a priest or bishop to hold this powerful job.
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Robert's Family Background
Robert Bourchier was the oldest son of John de Bourchier, who was a judge in a court called the Common Pleas. His mother was Helen of Colchester. Her family owned a place called Stanstead Hall in Halstead, Essex. This estate became the main home for the Bourchier family. They later bought more land in the same area.
Robert's Life and Career
Robert Bourchier started his career working for the Earls of Oxford, a powerful noble family. Later, he began working directly for the king.
Early Career and Public Service
In 1327, Robert went on an important trip to France to represent England. He was also chosen to be a member of parliament for Essex several times between 1328 and 1339. He held various jobs as a judge, even though we don't have clear records of him studying law. In 1334, he was named the chief judge for the king's court in Ireland, but he never actually took up that position.
Military Service
Robert was quite active in the military. He joined the invasion of Scotland in 1335. Some records say he was at the Battle of Cadsand in 1337, a fight against the French. He also traveled with the Earl of Northampton on King Edward III's trip to Flanders in 1338. In 1341, King Edward III gave him permission to build defenses, like walls and towers, around his house at Stanstead. This was called a licence to crenellate.
Becoming Lord Chancellor
When Robert returned to England, King Edward III gave him the Great Seal, a special stamp used to make royal documents official. This made Robert Bourchier the Lord Chancellor on December 14, 1340. He was paid £100 a year, plus other fees.
During his time as Chancellor, there was a disagreement between the king and Archbishop John de Stratford. Robert Bourchier supported the king. In 1341, parliament tried to make new rules, saying that royal officers' accounts should be checked and that the Chancellor should be chosen by parliament. Robert Bourchier said he did not agree with these rules because they went against his oath and the laws of the country. Even so, he followed the king's orders and delivered the new law to parliament. He resigned from his job as Chancellor on October 29, 1341.
Later Years and Death
After leaving the Chancellor's role, Robert continued to serve the king as a member of the King's Council, a diplomat, and a soldier. In 1342, he led a group of soldiers in Brittany, France. He is also recorded as being at the famous Battle of Crécy in 1346, where England won a big victory against France.
In November 1348, he was called to parliament as a peer, which meant he became a Lord. He died the next year, on August 20, 1349, in Bordeaux, France. He was on a diplomatic trip to Castile when he caught the Black Death, a terrible disease that spread across Europe. He was buried in Halstead, where he had planned to build a college for priests.
Marriage and Children
Before 1329, Robert Bourchier married Margaret Prayers. She was the daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Prayers. Robert and Margaret had two known children:
- John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Bourchier (1329–1400): He was their oldest son and inherited his father's title.
- William Bourchier (died 1375): He married Eleanor de Louvaine. Their son was William Bourchier, 1st Count of Eu (1386–1420), who became a very important figure in France. William Bourchier's grandson, Henry Bourchier, 1st Earl of Essex (1404–1483), later inherited the Bourchier title from the main family line.
