Solomon of Rochester facts for kids

Solomon of Rochester (died in 1294) was an English judge who lived in the 1200s. He was born in Rochester, Kent, which is where he got his name. Solomon became a religious leader and worked for King Henry III of England in legal matters.

Early Career as a Judge

Solomon of Rochester began his important work as a judge in 1274. He was first appointed as a justice in eyre for Middlesex. This meant he traveled to different areas to hear legal cases. The next year, he worked in Worcestershire.

From then on, Solomon was always busy with his judge duties. He traveled to many counties, including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Cornwall. He also often served on special groups that looked into legal issues, like finding out if people were hiding goods that belonged to the king.

Important Councils and Decisions

In 1276, Solomon was part of a meeting where the king made a big decision against Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester. He was also called to other important meetings in 1283 and 1288.

However, in 1289, Solomon and most other judges were removed from their jobs. This happened because they were not doing their work fairly and were making unfair decisions. Solomon was likely one of the main people involved in this, as he had to pay a very large fine.

The Abingdon Abbey Case

In 1278, a lord named Hugh de Courtenay sued Abingdon Abbey over a church appointment. Solomon was the chief judge in this case. In 1284, the decision surprisingly went in favor of Courtenay. It was later found that Solomon had unfairly taken a large sum of money from Abingdon Abbey to give to his brother.

Later Life and Church Ambitions

After losing his judge position, Solomon of Rochester tried to get a higher role in the church. He already held a position at St Paul's Cathedral. When the Bishop of Rochester died in 1291, Solomon tried hard to convince the monks to choose him as the new bishop.

The monks refused, which made Solomon very upset. In 1294, during a legal case between the monks and the Bishop of Rochester, Solomon convinced the judges to make a decision that went against the monks.

Solomon of Rochester died in 1294. He had a house in Snodland and another in Rochester. In 1284, he was allowed to make his Rochester house bigger, even building on the city walls.

See also

• The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay