William Drury (lawyer) facts for kids

William Drury (died 1589) was an English lawyer and professor. He was the third son of John Drury of Rougham, Suffolk. William Drury became an important expert in civil law, which is a type of law that deals with private rights and disputes between people, rather than criminal matters.

Early Life and Education

William Drury studied at Trinity Hall, a college at the University of Cambridge. He earned his first law degree in 1553. Later, in 1559, he was chosen to be the Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Cambridge. This was a very important teaching position. He earned his higher law degree (LL.D.) in 1560.

Starting His Career

In 1561, William Drury became an advocate at Doctors' Commons. This was a group of lawyers who specialized in civil law, especially church law and international law. Soon after, he started working for Archbishop Parker, who was a very powerful leader in the Church of England. Archbishop Parker gave him important jobs, including helping with church matters. Drury also became a member of the ecclesiastical commission, which was a group that helped manage the church.

Working as a Civilian Lawyer

William Drury was one of the legal experts that Queen Elizabeth I asked for advice in 1571. This was about a tricky situation involving John Lesley, the Bishop of Ross. The Bishop was an ambassador for Mary Stuart, who was imprisoned in England. The Bishop was accused of plotting against Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen needed to know two main things:

• First, if an ambassador helps plan a rebellion or treason against the ruler of the country they are in, do they still have special protection? Or can they be arrested and tried like anyone else?
• Second, if a ruler has been removed from power and is living in another country, can they still have an ambassador who has special protections?

Drury and the other lawyers decided that an ambassador who plots against the country they are in can lose their special protection. They also said that a deposed ruler could still have an ambassador, but only if that ambassador did not go beyond their duties. This case was very important for understanding international law at the time.

In June 1571, Drury was sent to Scotland as an ambassador. His job was to talk with Regent Morton, who was ruling Scotland for Mary, Queen of Scots' young son. During his mission, there was a small fight between different groups of Scottish soldiers near his camp. Drury tried to negotiate, but the situation was complicated.

Later Work and Ideas

William Drury continued to hold important positions. In 1574, he received a special right from Archbishop Parker to help manage a church in Sussex. He also became the master of the prerogative court of Canterbury by 1577. This court handled wills and other legal documents related to people's deaths.

In 1584, he gave advice on how to protect the money and property of the church. He suggested ways to show that the church did not own as much land as some people thought. This was to prevent the Queen from taking church property.

Death and Family

William Drury passed away in late 1589. He was buried in a church in London. He was married to Mary Southwell, and they had four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, John, became a knight in 1604. Another son, Robert Drury, became a Jesuit priest.