Robert Charleton (judge) facts for kids

Sir Robert Charleton (died 1395 or 1396) was an important English judge and a member of Parliament. He held the high position of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, which meant he was a top judge in one of England's main courts. He was also a Serjeant-at-law, a special type of lawyer, and a Justice of the Peace, helping to keep order in local areas.

Early Career and Public Service

Robert Charleton first appears in records in July 1375. He was made a commissioner of the peace for Wiltshire and Somerset. This meant he helped keep law and order in those areas. Over time, he worked in many parts of England.

In September 1377, he investigated people in Wiltshire. These people claimed they didn't have to work because of old rules from the Domesday Book. This was part of a bigger effort to calm down unhappy peasants in Wiltshire, Devon, and Surrey. People were upset because of something called the 'great rumour'.

Dealing with Unrest

When the Peasants' Revolt happened in 1381, Charleton was given a big job. In June 1381, he was one of the judges who had to punish rebels in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. He got a similar task in March 1382, this time just for Gloucestershire. His job was to punish rebels and use the local army to break up large groups of peasants.

Becoming a Top Judge

In January 1383, Robert Charleton became a Serjeant-at-law. This was a high rank for a lawyer. From then on, he often served on special legal groups called commissions of Assize. These groups traveled around the country to hear important cases. He also continued to be a Justice of the Peace in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Shropshire.

In November 1385, he was made a Justice of the Peace for several more areas. These included Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Bristol, and Wiltshire. In August 1386, he worked on a peace commission in Staffordshire. He also helped investigate the condition of riverbanks in the Thames Valley in June 1384.

Chief Justice Appointment

On January 30, 1388, Charleton achieved a remarkable thing. He was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. This was a very important job. It was surprising because he hadn't worked in the Court of Common Pleas before.

Charleton was not known to be close to the Lords Appellant. These powerful nobles controlled the government at that time. However, he was likely good friends with William of Wykeham. This friendship probably helped him get his unexpected promotion.

Later Years and Parliament

The first half of 1388 was a difficult time in politics. Charleton managed to stay safe, even though he was involved in the Merciless Parliament. This Parliament punished many of King Richard II's close friends and advisors. When King Richard II regained his power in May 1389, Charleton was honored. He was made a Knight banneret, a special type of knight.

Charleton attended at least seven of the eight Parliaments between February 1388 and January 1395. The records for the Parliament in September 1388 are missing. In each Parliament he attended, he helped review petitions, which were requests from the public.

He continued to serve actively as Chief Justice until late 1395. Robert Charleton died sometime between November 12, 1395, and January 15, 1396. His replacement as Chief Justice was appointed after his death.