Thomas Ryves

Sir Thomas Ryves (c.1583–1652) was an English civilian. He was a member of a prominent

ecclesiastical law and Admiralty law

Background and early career

He was born around 1583, eighth son of John Ryves(1532-1587) of Damory Court, near

Sir John Davies, William Ryves' predecessor as Irish Attorney General, was his relative by marriage (he married a descendant of Sir John Marvyn). Sir Robert Napier, Chief Baron of the Exchequer

, was the father-in-law of Thomas' eldest brother, Sir John Ryves. Yet another brother James settled in County Kerry.

His father, who was about 50 when he was born, died when he was very young. Ryves entered Winchester College in 1590 and became a fellow of New College, Oxford in 1598. He took his degree of Bachelor of Common Law in 1605 and his doctorate in 1610; he is also said to have studied for a time in France. In 1612 he became an advocate of Doctors' Commons.^[1]

Irish career

Thomas and his brother William relied on their family connection with Sir John Davies to advance their careers.

Court of Faculties. As a result, he became embroiled in a long dispute with James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, and other leading clerics, who argued that only a clergyman in holy orders should hold the office. Although Thomas is said to have been greatly respected in Ireland for his legal ability,^[4]

he eventually resigned the office and returned to England in 1621.

Later career

Ryves built up a large practice in the English

Admiralty Court, and was made King's Advocate in 1625. In 1626 he became a master of the Court of Requests; in 1636 he became the Admiralty judge for Dover, and later judge for the Cinque Ports.^[1]

On the outbreak of the

St. Clement Danes. His married Elizabeth Waldron, of the Waldron, or Waldram family of Leicester

This was one of several marriages between the two families: she was probably a sister of Dorothy Waldron, the second wife of Thomas's brother William. They had no children.

Character

Ryves was renowned for his knowledge of both civil law and common law, his wider learning and his skill in Latin. He enjoyed the trust and confidence of King Charles I, and displayed courage and loyalty to the Crown in his later years, although Archbishop Ussher disliked and distrusted him.^[1]

Works

Ryves published books on law and

tithes

.

References

^
Pollard, Albert Frederick (1897). "Ryves, Thomas" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography
. Vol. 50. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

^ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921, John Murray London 1926
^ This was both a political and a physical struggle, since Davies, who was a very fat man, quite literally sat on his rival for the office, Sir John Everard, threatening to crush him unless he accepted defeat.
^ Chalmers Biographical Dictionary 1812
^ Chalmers

[DNB-1] 
Pollard, Albert Frederick (1897). "Ryves, Thomas" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography
. Vol. 50. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

[2] Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921, John Murray London 1926

[3] This was both a political and a physical struggle, since Davies, who was a very fat man, quite literally sat on his rival for the office, Sir John Everard, threatening to crush him unless he accepted defeat.

[4] Chalmers Biographical Dictionary 1812

[5] Chalmers

[1]

[4]

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