Robert Tresilian facts for kids

Sir Robert Tresilian (died 19 February 1388) was an important lawyer from Cornwall, England. He became the Chief Justice of the King's Bench, which is a very high legal position, between 1381 and 1387. He was born in Cornwall and owned land near Truro. Tresilian was a key figure in the conflicts between King Richard II and a group of powerful nobles called the Lords Appellant. He was known for being very loyal to the king, which eventually led to his execution.

Early Career and the Peasants' Revolt

Tresilian first appears in official records in 1354. He started his career working in areas like Oxfordshire and Berkshire. By 1367, he was a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Berkshire, and in 1368, in Oxfordshire. A Justice of the Peace helps keep order and deals with minor legal cases in a local area.

He also worked in his home county of Cornwall. In 1369, he was a lawyer in a Cornish court case. That same year, he was chosen to represent Cornwall in the English Parliament as a Knight of the Shire. In 1370, he became a JP for Cornwall.

In the 1370s, Tresilian began working for the king's government. In 1378, he was made a Justice of the King's Bench. This meant he was a judge in one of the most important courts in England. Soon after, he was also made a knight.

How Tresilian Became Chief Justice

A major event called the Peasants' Revolt happened in 1381. During this rebellion, the Chief Justice, Sir John Cavendish, was killed. Tresilian was then chosen to take over this very important role.

After the rebellion ended, Tresilian was given the job of punishing those who had taken part. He was known for being very strict. He traveled with King Richard II to Essex, where he led many trials against the rebels. He pushed juries to name suspects and made sure charges were seen as serious crimes, not just minor offenses. In the end, thirty-one people were executed. Many people at the time felt that the king's punishments were too harsh. They believed the government needed to change, not just punish rebels, to stop future uprisings.

Political Involvement and His Death

In the years that followed, Tresilian became more and more involved in politics. He was a very loyal supporter of King Richard II. In November 1386, the Parliament set up a group to check and control the king's money. The king did not like this, as he felt it took away his special powers, known as royal prerogative.

The King's Questions to the Judges

The king asked his judges for their legal opinion on whether Parliament's actions were lawful. It is believed that Tresilian was the one who wrote these "questions." By doing this, he turned a political argument into a legal one, supporting the king.

However, the king's opponents, the Lords Appellant, fought back. On November 17, 1387, Tresilian and other royal supporters were accused of treason by this powerful group of nobles. Treason is a very serious crime against one's country or ruler.

Tresilian's Capture and Execution

When Tresilian's trial began, he had gone into hiding and could not be found. He was sentenced in absentia, meaning he was found guilty even though he wasn't there.

On February 19, 1388, he was found hiding in a special safe place called sanctuary in Westminster. He was pulled into court by a crowd shouting, "We have him!" Since he had already been found guilty, he was immediately executed.

Reputation and Family Life

Tresilian was accused of more than just treason. He was not a popular judge, and people also accused him of corruption. There were stories from Cornwall and Devon that he had used his power to gain wealth for himself.

Tresilian and his wife, Emmaline (Emma), had a son named John and at least two daughters. He gained a lot of land in places like Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Cornwall, partly through his marriage and partly through his corrupt dealings.

After his death, his land was taken by the Crown. Even though his son objected, much of it was bought by John Hawley the elder. Hawley was a merchant and a privateer (someone who attacked enemy ships for profit) from Dartmouth. Tresilian's widow, Emma, later married John Colshull, who was also a Member of Parliament for Cornwall.