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'''Sir John Everard''' (c.1550-1624) was an Irish barrister, politician and judge. He was notable as the last Irish judge until the reign of [[James II of England]] to openly profess the [[Roman Catholic]] faith, which led to his resignation from the Bench. He embarked on a political career which quickly descended into farce, when having failed to become Speaker of the [[Irish House of Commons]], he refused to vacate the chair until the successful candidate sat on him. His second son was the first of the [[Everard baronets]].<ref>Ball, F. Elrington ''The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921'' John Murray London 1926 pp.227-8</ref>
'''Sir John Everard''' (c.1550-1624) was an Irish barrister, politician and judge. He was notable as the last Irish judge until the reign of [[James II of England]] to openly profess the [[Roman Catholic]] faith, which led to his resignation from the Bench. He embarked on a political career which quickly descended into farce, when having failed to become Speaker of the [[Irish House of Commons]], he refused to vacate the chair until the successful candidate sat on him. His second son was the first of the [[Everard baronets]].<ref>Ball, F. Elrington ''The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921'' John Murray London 1926 pp.227-8</ref>

==Background==


He was a native of [[Fethard, County Tipperary]], son of Redmond Everard, head of a Catholic family which effectively owned the town of Fethard. <ref>Ball p.227</ref> He entered the [[Inner Temple]] in 1578 and was [[called to the Bar]] in 1590. In 1602 he was appointed justice of the [[Court of King's Bench (Ireland)]] and [[knighted]]. He went regularly on assize in [[Meath]], [[Louth]] and [[Kilkenny]].<ref>Ball p.227</ref>
He was a native of [[Fethard, County Tipperary]], son of Redmond Everard, head of a Catholic family which effectively owned the town of Fethard. <ref>Ball p.227</ref> He entered the [[Inner Temple]] in 1578 and was [[called to the Bar]] in 1590. In 1602 he was appointed justice of the [[Court of King's Bench (Ireland)]] and [[knighted]]. He went regularly on assize in [[Meath]], [[Louth]] and [[Kilkenny]].<ref>Ball p.227</ref>


==Judicial career==
⚫
While many Irish born judges secretly remained loyal to the Catholic faith, Everard was unique in his generation in openly adhering to it. This gave great offence to the Crown, especially at a time when the [[Lord Deputy of Ireland]] was Sir [[Arthur Chichester]], a firm [[Protestant]] and vigorous enforcer of the [[Penal Laws]].<ref>Ball p.227</ref> Everard however was a highly regarded figure -even Chichester liked him personally- and for a time he was allowed to retain office; but in the long run his position was untenable and he resigned, presumably under pressure, in 1607. He was given a pension, and the office of judge of the [[palatine]] Court of [[Tipperary]], although this has been described contempuosly as "the judicial scrapheap". He remained a member of the [[King's Inns]], and was Bencher in 1609. <ref>Kenny, Colum ''The King's Inns and the Kingdom of Ireland'' Irish Academic Press Dublin 1992 p.201</ref>Though he was accused of dubious land dealings<ref>Kenny p.81</ref> he was also noted for charity, and founded [[almshouses]] in Fethard in 1611.<ref>Ball p.227</ref>

⚫
While many Irish born judges secretly remained loyal to the Catholic faith, Everard was unique in his generation in openly adhering to it. This gave great offence to the Crown, especially at a time when the [[Lord Deputy of Ireland]] was Sir [[Arthur Chichester]], a firm [[Protestant]] and vigorous enforcer of the [[Penal Laws]].<ref>Ball p.227</ref> Everard however was a highly regarded figure -even Chichester liked him personally- and for a time he was allowed to retain office; but in the long run his position was untenable and he resigned, presumably under pressure, in 1607. He was given a pension, and the office of judge of the [[palatine]] Court of [[Tipperary]], although this has been described contempuosly as "the judicial scrapheap". He remained a member of the [[King's Inns]], and was Bencher in 1609. <ref>Kenny, Colum ''The King's Inns and the Kingdom of Ireland'' Irish Academic Press Dublin 1992 p.201</ref>Though he was accused of dubious land dealings<ref>Kenny p.81</ref> he was also noted for charity, and founded [[almshouses]] in Fethard in 1611.<ref>Ball p.227</ref>]]

==Politics==


In 1613 the only [[Irish Parliament]] of the reign of [[James I of England]] was called and Everard was returned as member for [[Tipperary (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Tipperary]].<ref>Ball p.228</ref> He was the choice of the Catholic members, still a very substantial minority, for Speaker; but Chichester was determined that his right-hand man Sir [[John Davies (poet)]], should be elected. The Catholic members declared that Everard had been elected and he took the chair. Matters then descended into farce when the Government lobby declared Davies elected: Everard, normally a man of sense, refused to leave the chair until Davies, a very fat man, sat on him. Everard and his supporters then withdrew in protest.<ref> "Sir John Davies" [[Encyclopedia Britannica]] 1911 Vol. 7 pp.864-5</ref>
In 1613 the only [[Irish Parliament]] of the reign of [[James I of England]] was called and Everard was returned as member for [[Tipperary (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Tipperary]].<ref>Ball p.228</ref> He was the choice of the Catholic members, still a very substantial minority, for Speaker; but Chichester was determined that his right-hand man Sir [[John Davies (poet)]], should be elected. The Catholic members declared that Everard had been elected and he took the chair. Matters then descended into farce when the Government lobby declared Davies elected: Everard, normally a man of sense, refused to leave the chair until Davies, a very fat man, sat on him. Everard and his supporters then withdrew in protest.<ref> "Sir John Davies" [[Encyclopedia Britannica]] 1911 Vol. 7 pp.864-5</ref>



As a result of his conduct he was summoned to England and imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]], and was expelled from the King's Inns.<ref>Ball p.228</ref> He was quickly freed, and on his return to Ireland urged the Catholic community to moderation. Despite the debacle of his failed election he played an active role in the Parliament of 1613-5, and was readmitted to the KIng's Inns, at the request, perhaps surprisingly of Lord Deputy Chichester.<ref>Kenny p.93</ref>
As a result of his conduct he was summoned to England and imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]], and was expelled from the King's Inns.<ref>Ball p.228</ref> He was quickly freed, and on his return to Ireland urged the Catholic community to moderation. Despite the debacle of his failed election he played an active role in the Parliament of 1613-5, and was readmitted to the KIng's Inns, at the request, perhaps surprisingly of Lord Deputy Chichester.<ref>Kenny p.93</ref>

==Later years==


On Chichester's recall he felt bold enough to write to the Crown urging the relaxing of the laws against [[recusants]], and their admission to the legal profession.<ref>Crawford, Jon G. ''A Star Chamber Court in Ireland- the Court of Castle Chamber 1571-1641'' Four Courts Press Dublin 2005 p.322</ref> He was still well regarded by the Crown and in his last years he enjoyed the friendship of the powerful [[Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork]], whom he entertained at his home shortly before his death in 1624.<ref>Ball p.228</ref>
On Chichester's recall he felt bold enough to write to the Crown urging the relaxing of the laws against [[recusants]], and their admission to the legal profession.<ref>Crawford, Jon G. ''A Star Chamber Court in Ireland- the Court of Castle Chamber 1571-1641'' Four Courts Press Dublin 2005 p.322</ref> He was still well regarded by the Crown and in his last years he enjoyed the friendship of the powerful [[Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork]], whom he entertained at his home shortly before his death in 1624.<ref>Ball p.228</ref>

==Family==


He married Catherine Plunkett and had at least five children, including
He married Catherine Plunkett and had at least five children, including

Revision as of 21:24, 17 December 2013

Sir John Everard (c.1550-1624) was an Irish barrister, politician and judge. He was notable as the last Irish judge until the reign of James II of England to openly profess the Roman Catholic faith, which led to his resignation from the Bench. He embarked on a political career which quickly descended into farce, when having failed to become Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, he refused to vacate the chair until the successful candidate sat on him. His second son was the first of the Everard baronets.[1]

Background

He was a native of Fethard, County Tipperary, son of Redmond Everard, head of a Catholic family which effectively owned the town of Fethard. [2] He entered the Inner Temple in 1578 and was called to the Bar in 1590. In 1602 he was appointed justice of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland) and knighted. He went regularly on assize in Meath, Louth and Kilkenny.[3]

Judicial career

While many Irish born judges secretly remained loyal to the Catholic faith, Everard was unique in his generation in openly adhering to it. This gave great offence to the Crown, especially at a time when the Lord Deputy of Ireland was Sir Arthur Chichester, a firm Protestant and vigorous enforcer of the Penal Laws.[4] Everard however was a highly regarded figure -even Chichester liked him personally- and for a time he was allowed to retain office; but in the long run his position was untenable and he resigned, presumably under pressure, in 1607. He was given a pension, and the office of judge of the palatine Court of Tipperary, although this has been described contempuosly as "the judicial scrapheap". He remained a member of the King's Inns, and was Bencher in 1609. [5]Though he was accused of dubious land dealings[6] he was also noted for charity, and founded almshouses in Fethard in 1611.[7]]]

Politics

In 1613 the only Irish Parliament of the reign of James I of England was called and Everard was returned as member for Tipperary.[8] He was the choice of the Catholic members, still a very substantial minority, for Speaker; but Chichester was determined that his right-hand man Sir John Davies (poet), should be elected. The Catholic members declared that Everard had been elected and he took the chair. Matters then descended into farce when the Government lobby declared Davies elected: Everard, normally a man of sense, refused to leave the chair until Davies, a very fat man, sat on him. Everard and his supporters then withdrew in protest.[9]


As a result of his conduct he was summoned to England and imprisoned in the Tower of London, and was expelled from the King's Inns.[10] He was quickly freed, and on his return to Ireland urged the Catholic community to moderation. Despite the debacle of his failed election he played an active role in the Parliament of 1613-5, and was readmitted to the KIng's Inns, at the request, perhaps surprisingly of Lord Deputy Chichester.[11]

Later years

On Chichester's recall he felt bold enough to write to the Crown urging the relaxing of the laws against recusants, and their admission to the legal profession.[12] He was still well regarded by the Crown and in his last years he enjoyed the friendship of the powerful Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, whom he entertained at his home shortly before his death in 1624.[13]

Family

He married Catherine Plunkett and had at least five children, including

References

  1. ^ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 John Murray London 1926 pp.227-8
  2. ^ Ball p.227
  3. ^ Ball p.227
  4. ^ Ball p.227
  5. ^ Kenny, Colum The King's Inns and the Kingdom of Ireland Irish Academic Press Dublin 1992 p.201
  6. ^ Kenny p.81
  7. ^ Ball p.227
  8. ^ Ball p.228
  9. ^ "Sir John Davies" Encyclopedia Britannica 1911 Vol. 7 pp.864-5
  10. ^ Ball p.228
  11. ^ Kenny p.93
  12. ^ Crawford, Jon G. A Star Chamber Court in Ireland- the Court of Castle Chamber 1571-1641 Four Courts Press Dublin 2005 p.322
  13. ^ Ball p.228
  14. ^ O'Hart, John The Irish and Anglo-Irish Gentry Dublin 1884 Vol. 1 p.67
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