William Dalison facts for kids
Sir William Dalison (died 1559) was an important English judge. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire in 1553. This means he was chosen to represent the people of Lincolnshire in the English Parliament, helping to make laws for the country.
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Who Was Sir William Dalison?
William Dalison was the younger son of William Dalison, who passed away in 1546. His father was from Laughton, Lincolnshire, and held important jobs like Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Escheator of Lincolnshire. Sir William's mother was the daughter of George Wastneys from Haddon, Nottinghamshire.
Sir William's Journey in Law
Sir William Dalison started his legal training at Gray's Inn in 1534. This was like a special school for lawyers. He became a lawyer, or was "called to the bar," in 1537.
- In 1548 and again in 1552, he was chosen as a "Reader" at Gray's Inn. A Reader was a senior lawyer who taught lessons to younger students.
- During one of his lessons, he explained a law about wrongful disseisin. This means taking someone's land unfairly. His explanation was considered very accurate.
- In 1552, he became a "serjeant-at-law," which was a very high rank for a lawyer at that time. His school even gave him £5 and a pair of gloves to celebrate!
- Later, in October 1553, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire.
Becoming a Judge
In 1554, Sir William was appointed as a judge for the County Palatine of Lancaster. This was a special area with its own legal system. In 1556, he became a Justice of the King's Bench, which was one of the most important courts in England. He was also made a knight, so people started calling him "Sir William." When Queen Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, she kept him as a judge.
Family Life
Sir William Dalison married Elizabeth Dighton. She was the daughter of Robert Dighton from Sturton Parva, Lincolnshire. After Sir William passed away, Elizabeth married Sir Francis Ayscough. Sir William and Elizabeth had a large family with four sons and five daughters. His family later moved to Kent.
When Did Sir William Dalison Die?
Sir William Dalison passed away in January 1559. He was buried in Lincoln Cathedral, a very old and famous church.
Sir William's Writings
Sir William Dalison collected many legal cases that were decided during the reigns of King Edward VI and Queen Mary. These collections are like notes or summaries of court decisions. Some of his "Reports," or legal notes, were published in a book in 1689. However, many of the cases in that book were actually decided after he had died! It can be tricky to tell which cases were truly his, especially those from 1546 to 1558.
