William Halsey (judge) facts for kids
William Halsey was an important figure in Ireland during the 1600s. He was a politician, a soldier, and a judge. He even served as the Mayor of Waterford and was a member of the special parliaments during a time called the Protectorate. He also held the important job of Chief Justice of Munster, which was a big legal role.
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Early Life and Rise to Power
We don't know much about where William Halsey came from or his early childhood. He became a captain in the army led by Oliver Cromwell. After Cromwell's army won in Ireland around 1650-1651, Halsey was given a lot of land that used to belong to people who supported the King.
He became a major landowner in places like County Tipperary and County Kilkenny. Later, he moved to the city of Waterford. He became very involved in the public life of Waterford and was chosen as its Mayor in 1661.
A Career in Law
William Halsey was likely a trained lawyer. He held many different jobs in the legal system. For example, he was a judge in the Provincial Court of Munster. This court had stopped working for a while but was brought back. Halsey served as a judge there.
He also sat on special courts that helped people who were asked to move to Connacht. He was also in charge of collecting money for the government in the Waterford area. In 1655, he was appointed to help keep the peace in County Wexford.
Time in Parliament
Halsey was a member of all three Parliaments during the Protectorate period. He represented the cities of Waterford and Clonmel. He was part of a group in Parliament who tried to convince Oliver Cromwell to become King in 1657, but Cromwell said no.
After the King Returned
It's quite amazing that William Halsey's career continued to do well even after King Charles II returned to the throne. This was surprising because Halsey had been very loyal to Cromwell, who had fought against the King.
Even though some people tried to say he wasn't loyal to the new King, Halsey was generally seen as an honest person. King Charles II also wanted to make peace with his former enemies in the early years of his rule. Halsey also had the support of Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery, who was a very powerful person in Munster.
Besides being Mayor of Waterford, Halsey returned to the Provincial Court of Munster as its Chief Justice. He stayed in that important legal job until the court was closed down in 1672. We don't know the exact date he died. He was married, and his wife was connected to the Esmonde family.
Sources
- Barnard,T.C. Cromwellian Ireland – English Government and Reform in Ireland 1649–1660 Oxford University Press 1975
- Burke, William P. History of Clonmel 1907 Reprinted Robertes Books Kilkenny 1982
- Clarke, Aidan Prelude to Restoration in Ireland – the end of the Commonwealth 1659–1660 Cambridge University Press 2004
- 1641 Depositions-Information of Richard Shorthall Trinity College Dublin
- Patentee Officers in Ireland 1173–1826 Irish Manuscripts Commission
