James Alleyn (judge)

Sir James Alleyn (died c.1457) was an Irish judge of the fifteenth century. He held the offices of Chief Justice of the Common Pleas for Ireland and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Background

Sir James Alleyn was born in County Meath, where he later owned lands. He became justice of the liberty of Ulster in 1425 and was knighted in the same year. In 1427 he was sent by the Parliament of Ireland with the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Henry Fortescue, to England to complain to the English Crown of numerous wrongs suffered by the people of Ireland. Some of these grievances were personal, as Fortescue and Alleyn complained of numerous insults and assaults they had suffered in connection with the mission itself, since those opposed to it had physically assaulted them. The Crown ordered that those responsible for the injury to Fortescue and Alleyn should be punished.

Judicial career

Alleyn became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in 1428, but was superseded in 1430. In 1447 he became Lord Chief Justice. He died or retired in 1457.

Sources

• Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926
• Betham, William Dignities Feudal and Parliamentary and the Constitutional Legislature of the United Kingdom William and Thomas Boone London 1830