Robert Holborne facts for kids

Sir Robert Holborne (died 1647) was an important English lawyer and politician. He studied law at famous places like Furnival's Inn and Lincoln's Inn. He became well-known for helping John Hampden in a big court case about "ship money" – a special tax the king wanted to collect. Robert Holborne also served in the English Parliament from 1640 to 1642. He supported King Charles I and the Royalists during the English Civil War. The King made him a top lawyer for the Prince of Wales and knighted him in 1643. He also wrote books about law.

Robert Holborne's Life Story

Early Life and Education

Robert Holborne was the son of Nicholas Holbone from Chichester. He trained to become a lawyer, which was common for educated men at the time. He first studied at Furnival's Inn. After that, he went to Lincoln's Inn on November 9, 1615. At Lincoln's Inn, he became a "bencher" and a "reader" in English law. These were important roles for senior lawyers who also taught others.

The Ship Money Case

Holborne quickly became a skilled lawyer. He practiced law in the "king's bench," which was a high court. He became famous when John Hampden asked for his legal advice about "ship-money". This was a tax that King Charles I tried to collect from everyone, not just people living by the sea, to pay for the navy. Many people thought this tax was unfair and against the law.

In this very important case, Holborne was one of Hampden's lawyers. He gave a detailed argument in court that lasted for three days, from December 2 to December 5, 1637. He added important points that Oliver St John, another lawyer for Hampden, had not covered.

Time in Parliament

In April 1640, Holborne was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Southwark. This was for a short meeting of Parliament called the Short Parliament. Later, in November 1640, he was elected again. This time he represented St. Michael, Cornwall, in what became known as the Long Parliament.

While in Parliament, Holborne strongly argued that the "convocation" (a meeting of church leaders) had the power to make rules for ordinary people. He believed these rules were valid as long as they did not go against the laws of the land.

Supporting the King

Holborne showed his loyalty to the King in other ways too. He strongly opposed the plan to punish Strafford, a close advisor to the King. When King Charles I moved his government to Oxford during the Civil War, Holborne joined him there.

On February 7, 1642, he received a special degree called D.C.L. (Doctor of Civil Law) from the King. Because he supported the King, he was no longer allowed to sit in the Parliament in Westminster. The King then made him the "attorney-general" (a chief legal advisor) to the Prince of Wales. On January 19, 1643, the King honored him by making him a knight.

Later Life and Death

Because he supported the King, Parliament took away his property. This was called "sequestration". Sir Robert Holborne died in 1647. He was buried in Lincoln's Inn Chapel on February 16 of that year.