Thomas Trevor (1586–1656) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Trevor (born 6 July 1586 – died 21 December 1656) was an important English lawyer and judge. He was also a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He is most famous for his part in a big legal case called the Ship Money case.

Sir Thomas Trevor's Life and Career

Early Life and Becoming a Lawyer

Thomas Trevor was the youngest of five sons. His family lived in a place called Trevalyn in Denbighshire. He started studying law at a very young age at a famous legal school called the Inner Temple. By 1603, he became a lawyer, which is known as being "called to the bar."

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Thomas Trevor was chosen to be a Member of Parliament several times. This meant he represented different areas in the English Parliament. He was an MP for places like Tregony in 1601, Harwich in 1604, and Newport in 1614.

Working for the King

In 1619, he was made a knight, so he became "Sir Thomas Trevor." He also became a lawyer for Prince Charles, who later became King Charles I. When Charles became king in 1625, Sir Thomas Trevor was promoted. He became a senior lawyer called a "serjeant-at-law." Soon after, he was made a judge in the Court of Exchequer. This court handled money matters for the King.

The Famous Ship Money Case

In 1637, a big legal issue came up called Ship Money. This was a tax that King Charles I wanted to collect from everyone, even those who lived far from the coast. Many people thought this tax was unfair and against the law. Sir Thomas Trevor was one of twelve judges who said the King had the right to collect this tax.

The next year, in 1638, he gave the official judgment in court against a man named John Hampden. Hampden had refused to pay the Ship Money tax. This decision made Sir Thomas Trevor very well-known, but also quite unpopular with many people.

During the English Civil War

In 1641, the Parliament started a process called impeachment against Sir Thomas Trevor and other judges. This was because they had supported the Ship Money tax. However, when the English Civil War began, Sir Thomas Trevor stayed in London. He continued to support the Parliament's authority.

In 1643, he was found guilty in his impeachment trial. He was fined and briefly put in prison. But he was released quickly and went back to being a judge. Later that year, King Charles I, who was in Oxford, asked Sir Thomas Trevor and another judge to join his court. They refused and even had the King's messengers arrested. One messenger was later executed.

Despite this, Sir Thomas Trevor did not agree with the King's execution. He refused to work for the new government after the King's death. After this, he decided to retire completely from public life. He lived quietly until he passed away in 1656.

Sir Thomas Trevor's Family

Sir Thomas Trevor was married twice. His first wife was named Prudence Boteler. They had one son, also named Thomas. This son was given the special title of "baronet" in 1641. Sadly, he died without having any children in 1676. After Prudence, Sir Thomas Trevor married Frances Blennerhasset.