Thomas Gawdy (died 1588) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Gawdy was an important English lawyer and judge who lived in the 1500s. He was part of a famous family from Norfolk, England, where many people became lawyers. He served as a judge and also as a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. For 16 years, he was the Recorder of Norwich, a special judge for that city. His home was a large house called Gawdy Hall in Harleston, which was sadly taken down in 1939.

Sir Thomas Gawdy's Life

His Family and Name

Gawdy Hall, the family home, which Thomas bought from relatives in 1567

Thomas Gawdy was one of three sons, all named Thomas, but they had different mothers. This Thomas was the second son, and his mother was Anne Bennett. All three brothers grew up to become lawyers. His older half-brother, also named Thomas, became a high-ranking lawyer called a Serjeant-at-law in 1552. His younger half-brother, Francis, even became the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, a very important judge, for a short time in 1605.

Becoming a Lawyer

Thomas Gawdy joined a special legal school called the Inner Temple. He became a lawyer in 1550. Later, he was chosen to teach other lawyers and manage the school's money.

In 1558, he was asked to become a Serjeant-at-law, a very respected position for a lawyer. However, the queen at the time, Mary I, passed away, and the offer was cancelled. He was offered the role again in 1567. In 1574, he became a judge in the Court of King's Bench, which was a major court in England. Four years later, in 1578, he was given the special title of 'Sir' when he was knighted.

As a lawyer, Thomas Gawdy was very good at using his connections in the East Anglia area of England. When he was young, a powerful nobleman, the Earl of Arundel, helped him. Thomas even represented the Earl in Parliament in 1553. But most of his work was focused on the city of Norwich. He was a Member of Parliament for Norwich in 1557 and served as the city's Recorder, or main judge, from 1558 to 1574.

Homes and Marriages

In 1548, Thomas Gawdy married Etheldreda Knightley. Her family's money and land helped him buy more property. After she passed away in 1566, he married Frances Richers a year later. The money from this marriage allowed him to buy even more land, including Gawdy Hall, which was the main home for his family, and other land nearby.

Thomas Gawdy passed away at Gawdy Hall on November 5, 1588. He was buried at Redenhall Church.

His Children

Thomas Gawdy had two sons with his first wife:

• Henry Gawdy: He became the high sheriff of Norfolk in 1593. He was also made a Knight of the Bath by King James I in 1603. Many of his letters to his cousin, Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, are still around today.
• Thomas Gawdy: He studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and married Anne Bushell.

The judge also had three daughters:

• Frances Gawdy: She married Sir Edmund Moundeford. Their son was also named Sir Edmund Moundeford.
• Isabell Gawdy
• Julian Gawdy: She married Sir Richard Berney, who was the Sheriff of Norfolk in 1610. They had a son named Sir Richard Berney, 1st Baronet.