William Yelverton facts for kids

Sir William Yelverton (born 1400, died sometime in the 1470s) was an important judge and politician in England during the 1400s. He was known for his work in Norfolk and served as a member of parliament for Great Yarmouth twice. He was also honored as a Knight of the Bath.

Life as a Judge and Politician

William Yelverton was born in Norfolk, England. His father was John Yelverton from Rackheath, and his mother was Elizabeth, whose father was John Rede.

Early Career and Roles

Yelverton started his career in the legal field. In 1427, he became a justice of the peace in Norwich. This meant he helped keep law and order in the area. From 1433 to 1450, he worked as a recorder, which is a legal officer who keeps records and helps with court cases.

He also became involved in politics. In 1435 and 1436, he was chosen to be a member of parliament for Great Yarmouth. This role meant he represented the people of Great Yarmouth in the country's government. In 1439, he became a sergeant-at-law, which was a high rank for a lawyer.

Later, he became the under-steward for the Duchy of Lancaster in Norfolk. In 1444, he was made a judge of the king's bench. This was a very important position, as he would help make decisions in the king's main court.

Serving Different Kings

Sir William Yelverton was very good at his job, so much so that he continued to serve as a judge even when new kings came to power. He worked for King Edward IV, who even made him a knight before September 1461. This shows that King Edward IV trusted him.

Yelverton's name appeared in many legal documents during Edward IV's early years. He was also appointed as a justice of the peace for Norfolk and Suffolk every year. This shows how important he was in keeping the peace and upholding the law in these areas.

He was known for being able to work well with different rulers. Even when King Henry VI briefly returned to power in 1470, Yelverton was appointed as a judge of the court of common pleas. This court dealt with legal cases between ordinary people.

Later Life and Burial

Sir William Yelverton passed away sometime between 1472 and 1477. He was buried in Rougham church. After his death, his property and wealth went to his son, also named William.

Caister Castle and the Pastons

Sir William Yelverton was involved in a famous legal dispute after the death of Sir John Fastolf in 1459. Sir John Fastolf was a wealthy knight from Norfolk. Yelverton was one of the people Sir John Fastolf chose to manage his estate after he died. These people are called executors.

The Disputed Will

Sir John Fastolf had a close relationship with John Paston, who was related to Fastolf through Paston's wife. When Fastolf's will was read, it said that John Paston would inherit many of Fastolf's properties. This caused a big argument between Yelverton and the other executors on one side, and John Paston on the other.

The dispute went on for many years and was even taken to the Lord Chancellor's office, which was a high legal authority. One of the most famous parts of this argument was about Caister Castle. This castle was a very important property, and the fight over it is written about in the Paston Letters. These letters are a collection of real letters from that time, giving us a peek into history.

Sir William Yelverton had helped Sir John Fastolf in similar property disputes before. For example, he helped Fastolf get control of a property called Dedham manor.

See also

• John Fastolf
• Paston Letters