William Tresham facts for kids

Sir William Tresham (born 1404 – died 22 September 1450) was an important English lawyer and politician. He served as a Justice of the Peace (JP), which meant he helped keep law and order in his local area. He also became the Speaker of the House of Commons, a very important role in the English government.

Early Life and Beginnings

William Tresham was born in Northamptonshire, a county in England. His father was Thomas Tresham from a place called Sywell. As he grew up, William became a big landowner in his home region. He trained to be a lawyer, which was a good way to get ahead in society during that time.

In 1424, he was chosen to be a Justice of the Peace for Northamptonshire. This role was important for someone like him who came from a regular family, as it helped him gain influence both locally and across the country.

A Career in Parliament

William Tresham was elected to the English Parliament many times. He served as a Knight of the shire, which meant he represented his county in the House of Commons. He was elected for the first time in 1423 and then many more times, serving in twelve parliaments in a row! This shows how trusted and respected he was.

Working for the King

Even early in his career, William Tresham worked for the King. For example, in 1415, he helped check the money records of the King's officials in southern Wales. This kind of work helped him build connections and gain experience.

Becoming Speaker of the House

After focusing on his law career in the 1420s, William Tresham started taking on more important roles. In 1430, he became an advisor to Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, a powerful noble. He also worked for Henry Beaufort, a very important church leader.

Throughout the 1430s, Tresham was part of many special groups set up by the King. These groups investigated different things, like looking into hidden royal money or checking the value of royal lands.

Because of his skills and connections, William Tresham was chosen as the Speaker of the House of Commons in 1439. This was a time when people were trying to make changes to the King's household. Being Speaker meant he led the discussions in the House of Commons. He was elected Speaker again in 1442 and 1447, showing his continued importance.

Royal Service and Duchy of Lancaster

William Tresham continued to serve the King, especially working for the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy of Lancaster was a large estate owned by the King. He worked as a legal expert for them. In 1446, he was made a trustee for the Duchy's lands, and in 1448, he became the head of those trustees. On July 3, 1442, he was even appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a very high position.

Important Cases and Challenges

Because he was well-liked by the King's court, William Tresham was given important and sometimes difficult cases. For example, in 1444, he was part of a group that looked into serious accusations against someone named Thomas Carver. In 1447, he was involved in another investigation involving members of the household of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.

A Tragic End

In 1450, after a rebellion led by Jack Cade in Kent, William Tresham faced serious accusations. However, before any official investigation could happen, he was killed. He was traveling with his son, Sir Thomas Tresham, to meet with Richard of York. On their journey, they were attacked by a group of local men. William Tresham had been involved in a disagreement with these men over land. Sadly, William lost his life, and his son Thomas was injured but managed to escape.