Robert Napier (judge) facts for kids
Sir Robert Napier (born around 1542, died 1615) was an English judge who worked in Ireland. He also served for a long time as a member of the English Parliament.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Napier was born in a place called Swyre in Dorset, England. He was a younger son of James Napier. His family, the Napiers, were originally from Scotland, specifically from Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh. A part of their family had moved to Dorset.
Robert's mother was Anne Hillary or Hilliard. We don't know his exact birth date. However, in his last will, written in 1614, he said he was "about 72" years old. This means he was likely born around 1542. He spelled his name "Napper," which was different from the more common "Napier."
He went to Exeter College, Oxford University. He became a Fellow there in 1559 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1562. Later, in 1566, he joined the Middle Temple, which is a place where lawyers are trained.
A Judge in Ireland
In 1593, Robert Napier was made a knight. He was then sent to Ireland to be the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. This was a very important job as a judge. He didn't want to go because he thought the salary was too low for an honest person to live on.
Some members of the Napier family were Roman Catholic. Robert's wives also came from Catholic families. However, Robert himself was never thought to be a Catholic who refused to attend Anglican services. His will didn't mention his religious beliefs.
As a judge, many people thought Napier wasn't very good at his job. The King's government first praised him for his "good services." Other English judges in Ireland often struggled with the damp weather. But most of them still tried to do their duties well. Napier, though, complained a lot about his poor health and low pay.
He was very interested in spying. He tried to get a higher judge position in England. He also wanted more land from the King. He traveled to England often. Once, he almost got shipwrecked near Holyhead.
In 1600, he went back to England for good. He refused to return to Dublin, Ireland. Because of this, he was suspended from his job in 1601. Another respected lawyer, Edmund Pelham, took his place the next year.
Serving in Parliament
Even though he wasn't a great judge, Napier was a surprisingly active member of Parliament. He was the High Sheriff of Dorset in 1606. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for several areas:
- Dorchester (1586–1587)
- Bridport (1601)
- Wareham (1604–1606)
His legal knowledge was very useful. He was part of many important committees in Parliament.
Building a Family Fortune
Napier often complained that an Irish judge couldn't get rich honestly. However, he managed to start the family's wealth in Dorset. He received many land grants from the King. He bought large areas of land in the county.
One important estate he acquired was Middlemarsh Grange in Minterne Magna. This became the main home for his family. The Napiers also got land at Loughcrew in Ireland. This land stayed in the family for many years. Later, Crichel House in Moor Crichel, East Dorset, became their main family home.
The main male line of his family ended in 1765. His estates then went to the Sturt family, who were related through the female line.
Robert Napier is buried at Minterne Magna Church. In his will, he left money to help ten poor men in Dorchester. His son, Nathaniel, used this money to build the Napier Almshouses in the town.
Family Life
Robert Napier married twice. His first wife was Catherine Warham. They had a daughter named Anne, who married Sir John Ryves.
His second wife was Magdalen Denton. She was the mother of his only son and heir, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Napier also became a Member of Parliament. His grandson, Sir Gerrard, was made a baronet in 1641. A baronet is a special title of honor.
Nathaniel Napier married Elizabeth Gerrard around 1599. This marriage caused some talk because the couple was very young. Nathaniel was eleven and Elizabeth was nine. Even for that time, this was considered unusually young for marriage.
