William Towse facts for kids
William Towse (born around 1551 – died October 22, 1634) was an English lawyer and a politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, at different times between 1586 and 1626.
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Who Was William Towse?
William Towse came from a place called Hingham, Norfolk in England. He started his journey to become a lawyer in 1571 when he joined the Inner Temple. This was one of the special schools in London where people learned to become lawyers. After his training, he became a lawyer, which means he could represent people in court.
Life at Inner Temple
William Towse lived at the Inner Temple until 1614. He was very involved in how the school was run. He helped check the money records (audited accounts) many times between 1583 and 1600. He also served on different groups that looked into important issues for the Inner Temple.
In 1595, he became a bencher of the Inner Temple. This was a senior position, like being a leader or a wise advisor in the legal community. He also held other important roles there, such as "summer reader" in 1597 and "Lent reader" in 1610. These roles involved teaching or giving lectures on law. In 1607, he was the treasurer, managing the Inn's money.
Becoming a Serjeant-at-Law
In 1614, William Towse reached a very high level in his legal career. He became a serjeant-at-law. This was a special title for experienced lawyers who could argue cases in the highest courts.
William Towse's Political Career
William Towse was not just a lawyer; he was also a politician. He was elected to the House of Commons, which is where laws are made. Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs).
- In 1586, he was first elected as an MP for a place called Bramber.
- Around 1592, he became a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Essex. A J.P. helps keep law and order in their local area.
- In 1614, he was elected as an MP again, this time for Beverley.
- By 1620, he was the town clerk of Colchester. A town clerk is an important official who helps manage the town's records and official business.
- He later lived in Takeley, Essex.
- He was elected MP for Colchester in 1621.
- He was re-elected as MP for Colchester in 1624, 1625, and 1626, showing that people trusted him to represent them.
Family Life
William Towse was married to a woman named Jean French. They had a family together, including one son and three daughters.
Later Years and Death
William Towse lived a long life, serving his country as both a lawyer and a politician. He passed away on October 22, 1634, when he was about 83 years old.
