William Portman facts for kids
Sir William Portman (died 1557) was an important English judge and politician. He became the Chief Justice of the King's Bench, which was a very high legal position. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Taunton in 1529 and 1536.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Sir William Portman was the son of John Portman and Alice Knoell. His family had lived in Somerset for a long time. In fact, the village of Orchard Portman is named after his family.
He worked as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. He was very good at his job and even became personally known to King Henry VIII.
The Portman Estate
In 1532, Sir William Portman bought a large piece of land near the City of London. This land, about 270 acres, stretched from what is now Oxford Street to the Regents Canal. Today, this area is known as the Portman Estate. His family, the Viscounts Portman, still owns this estate.
King Henry VIII also gave him a "wardship" in 1533. This meant he was responsible for looking after a young person's property until they grew up. He also helped manage the will of Catherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII's first wife.
Becoming a Judge
Sir William Portman became a judge in 1547. He was then knighted by King Edward VI, which meant he was given the title "Sir."
He helped with important legal matters, especially when other high-ranking officials were ill. He worked with the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Thomas Goodrich, who was also the Bishop of Ely.
Serving Under Different Monarchs
Sir William Portman was able to keep his job even when the country's religion changed. He served under the Protestant King Edward VI and then under the Catholic Queen Mary. This shows he was a skilled and trusted legal expert.
In 1554, he became the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. He died in early 1557 and was buried in London with a grand funeral.
Family Life
Sir William Portman married Elizabeth Gilbert. She came from a well-known legal family called Fitzjames. They had a son and a daughter:
- Sir Henry Portman (died 1590) married Jane Mitchell. They had children, including:
- Sir John Portman, 1st Baronet (died 1611 or 1612)
- Joan Portman, who married Sir John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham, Somerset.
- Margaret Portman, who married Sir Gabriel Hawley and later Sir John Acland.
- Mary Portman, who married John Stowell.
