Roger Manwood facts for kids
Sir Roger Manwood (1525–1592) was an important English jurist and a top judge called the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Born in Kent
Roger Manwood was born in Sandwich, Kent around 1524 or 1525. He was the second son of Thomas Manwood, who was a draper (a cloth merchant), and Katherine. He lived in Sandwich and later in Hackington near Canterbury.
His Education
Roger Manwood went to St. Peter's school in Sandwich. In 1548, he started training to become a barrister (a type of lawyer) at the Inner Temple in London. He finished his training and became a barrister in 1555.
A Career in Law and Politics
Starting His Public Role
In 1555, Roger Manwood became the recorder of Sandwich, which meant he was the town's chief legal officer. He also became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hastings. This meant he represented the town in the English Parliament.
He later became the MP for his hometown, Sandwich, and continued to represent it until 1572. He also worked as a legal advisor for Sandwich for many years.
Becoming a High-Ranking Judge
Roger Manwood became a serjeant-at-law on April 23, 1567. This was a very high and respected position for a lawyer.
He was involved in important legal matters. In 1572, he became a judge in the common pleas court. He also helped set up Queen Elizabeth's grammar school in Lewisham in 1574.
On November 17, 1578, Roger Manwood was made the Chief Baron of the Exchequer. This was a very powerful position, making him one of the most important judges in England. He was also made a knight by Queen Elizabeth I. He served the Queen in this role until 1592.
As a judge, he was part of important trials. He helped with the examination of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1586. He also sat on the commission that looked into the case of Secretary Davison in 1587.
In his later years, Sir Roger faced some challenges and accusations regarding his conduct. Despite these issues, he continued to seek important judicial roles.
Family Life
Marriages and Children
Sir Roger Manwood was married twice. His first wife was Dorothy Theobald, and his second wife was Elizabeth Coppinger.
With Dorothy, he had several children:
- John
- Thomas (who died young)
- Margaret (who married Sir John Leveson)
- Anne (who married Percival Hart)
- Peter (who later became Sir Peter Manwood, a Knight of the Bath)
His Character and Social Life
Sir Roger Manwood was known for his great knowledge of the law. He was also good at explaining things clearly.
He was friends with important people like Sir Thomas Gresham and Archbishop Matthew Parker. Together with Archbishop Parker, he helped found a grammar school in Sandwich.
Here are some things people said about him:
"A reverend judge of great and excellent knowledge of the law, and accompanied with a ready invention and good elocution"
"He is remembered as an exceptionally corrupt lawyer who gave vast sums to Kentish charities."
Famous Sayings
Sir Roger Manwood was known for some interesting quotes about the legal system:
"In the common pleas there is all law and no conscience, in the queen's bench both law and conscience, in the chancery all conscience and no law, and in the exchequer neither law nor conscience."
—Sir Roger Manwood
He also had a unique view on "corporations" (groups of people acting as one legal entity):
"As touching corporations, that they were invisible, immortal and that they had no soul, therefore no supoena lieth against them, because they have no conscience or soul"
—Sir Roger Manwood, Bulstrode, 'Reports,' pt. ii. p. 233.
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
Sir Roger Manwood gave a lot of money to help his community.
- He provided a significant amount of money to start Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich, Kent, in 1563. This was a free grammar school to give education to children whose families could not afford it.
- He built a house of correction (a type of prison) in Westgate, Canterbury.
- He helped St. Stephen's Church by giving it new bells and a new part of the church where he was later buried.
- In the 1570s, Manwood built seven almshouses (homes for poor people) near the church.
- In his will, he was generous to his servants and left money for the local poor, especially those affected by the plague.
Connections with Queen Elizabeth I
Sir Roger Manwood caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1563, she gave him the royal manor of St. Stephen's in Kent, which became his main home. He rebuilt the house in a grand style.
Queen Elizabeth I even stayed at Manwood's house near Sandwich in 1572.
Death and Legacy
Sir Roger Manwood passed away on December 14, 1592.
He was buried in St. Stephen's Church, near Canterbury, under an impressive marble monument. This monument was designed by Maximilian Colte, who also designed Queen Elizabeth I's tomb. The tomb shows interesting details, including snakes, a money bag, and a chain around his neck. It also features sculptures of his wives and children.
The famous playwright and poet Christopher Marlowe wrote a poem in Latin after Manwood's death. The poem's meaning is not entirely clear and has been described as having different interpretations.
Links to Christopher Marlowe
The poem by Christopher Marlowe about Sir Roger Manwood raises questions about their connection. There are a few possible links:
Marlowe's Trial
Roger Manwood was one of the judges involved in Marlowe's trial in December 1589. Christopher Marlowe and his friend Thomas Watson were involved in an argument that led to the death of a man named William Bradley. Marlowe was arrested but later released after Watson was found to have acted in self-defense. Sir Roger Manwood was on the panel of judges during this case.
University Scholarship
Roger Manwood was friends with Matthew Parker, who was an Archbishop. Archbishop Parker had a scholarship program that helped students, like Marlowe, study at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Marlowe received this scholarship, which was for "poor boys" from Canterbury who were good at learning.
Family Connections to Theatre
Manwood's family also had connections to the theatre world in London, where Marlowe was a well-known figure. Manwood's daughter, Margaret, married Sir John Leveson. John Leveson's brother, William Leveson, was involved with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a theatre company that included William Shakespeare. While this connection came after Manwood's death, it suggests a link between the families and the theatre scene.
Other Relatives
Sir Roger Manwood is sometimes confused with "Richard Manwood." He was likely the uncle of John Manwood, who was also a lawyer and held positions related to forests and hunting grounds under Queen Elizabeth I.
