- Roger Cholmeley
Sir Roger Cholmeley (born c. 1485, [This date would appear to be in error since Cholmeley's father was born in 1472 and since he did not enroll in law studies until 1506. 1490 would be a more realistic estimate.] died
London 21 June 1565 ) wasLord Chief Justice ofEngland from 1552 to 1553.Background and early life
Cholmeley was the illegitimate son of Sir Richard Cholmeley of
Yorkshire (1472 – 1521), who served as Lieutenant of theTower of London from 1513 to 1520. Roger Cholmeley was educated to the law atLincoln's Inn from 1506. Despite being expelled from there three times, he entered the legal profession.Career
Most of Cholmeley's career as a lawyer was spent in the
City of London , but he lived atHighgate inMiddlesex .In 1520 he was called as a
bencher of Lincoln's Inn, in 1531 became aserjeant-at-law , and in November 1534 wasknight ed. From 1535 to 1545 he wasRecorder of London, and was one of the city's members in four parliaments.In November 1545 Cholmley became chief baron of the
Exchequer , and in May 1552 was appointed to Chief Justice of theKing's Bench . He was Lord Chief Justice for only a year, because Queen Mary I would not reappoint him. He was imprisoned for a month and fined for signingLady Jane Grey 's instrument of succession. He returned to work as abarrister and was amember of parliament for Middlesex in the early 1550s.Highgate School
Cholmeley founded
Highgate School , which was established byRoyal Charter in 1565. Former pupils of the school are known as "" in his memory. The school has gone on to become a leading independent school (sometimes referred to as a public school). Examples of well-known Old Cholmeleians includeJohn Venn , the creator ofVenn diagrams , poetsGerard Manley Hopkins andJohn Betjeman , and musiciansJohn Tavener andJohn Rutter .Notes
References
*"Cholmley, Sir Roger (c.1485–1565), Judge" by J. H. Baker in "
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography "
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