Roger Mainwaring (judge)
Roger Mainwaring (died 1590) was an English-born judge and Crown servant in Ireland during the reign of Elizabeth I.[1]
Mainwaring family
He was the eldest son of John Mainwaring and his wife Margery Brooke, daughter of Robert Brooke, and grandson of Oliver Mainwaring. He was born at
Career
Roger came to Ireland in 1569 in the entourage of Sir Edward Fitton, the elder, his future father-in-law, who had been appointed Lord President of Connaught.[1] He purchased substantial lands in County Dublin and County Meath, most of which he bequeathed to his second wife Margaret for her lifetime.[2] He lived for a time at Ferns Castle, County Wexford, which belonged to Margaret's family, the Maistersons.[2]
Roger became Chief
Marriages and children
He was married twice: firstly in 1571 to one of the daughters of Sir Edward Fitton and Ann Warburton, who seems to have died young without issue; and secondly before 1577 to Margaret Maisterson, daughter of Sir Thomas Maisterson of Nantwich and Ferns, head of a prosperous family from Nantwich, and a relative of Roger through his mother Margery Mainwaring. Sir Thomas was a leading figure in the South of Ireland, where he became Seneschal of County Wexford. Her mother was Catherine (or Cecily) de Clere of County Kilkenny.[2] According to his last will, which was admitted to probate on 1 May 1590, Roger had five children, three sons and two daughters, by his second marriage. His eldest son Richard (born at his grandfather's home, Ferns Castle, County Wexford, in 1577), succeeded to most of his father's estates, although the family's "chief mansion house" at Nantwich, as well as the Irish lands, were left to Roger's widow Margaret for her lifetime.
He died early in 1590. His widow was still alive in 1608.
Sources
- Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926
- Burke, John History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland London Henry Colburn 4 Volumes 1836 Vol. 3
- The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns during the Reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Phillip and Mary and Elizabeth I Vol. II Dublin 1994
- Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories, from the Ecclesiastical Court of Chester Published by the Chetham Society 1861