William Rokeby
William Rokeby (died 29 November 1521) was a leading statesman and cleric in early sixteenth-century Ireland, who held the offices of
Early life
He was born at Kirk Sandall, near Doncaster, eldest of the five sons of John Rokeby (died 1506). [1] His younger brother Sir Richard Rokeby (died 1523) was Comptroller of the Household to
Later career
On the death of Walter Fitzsimon in 1511, Rokeby became Archbishop of Dublin. It has been suggested that his elevation was due at least in part to his English birth, as the Crown was anxious to place Englishmen high up in the Irish hierarchy. No doubt his brother's close connection to Wolsey also played a part. He was Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1512 to 1513 and from 1516 to 1522.[4]
O'Flanagan believes that he was a good and diligent Lord Chancellor, although he did not leave behind many written judgments. He was clearly a trusted servant of the Crown: in particular, the
As Archbishop he made a reputation as a peacemaker, settling a long and bitter dispute between the Dean and Chapter of
As Archbishop of Dublin, he is best remembered for the
He was appointed
The Rokeby Chapels
Rokeby made elaborate provisions in his will for the disposal of his remains. In accordance with his wishes, his body was buried in St Oswald's Church, Kirk Sandall, but his heart and bowels were buried in the Church of St John the Baptist, Halifax (now known as Halifax Minster). Mortuary chapels were erected at both spots,[5] which still exist today.
Character
O'Flanagan praises Rokeby as a good man, a good bishop and, so far as we can tell from the scanty records, a good judge.[5] Elrington Ball, while acknowledging his good qualities, suggests that he was a failure as Irish Lord Chancellor, due partly to his frequent absences in England.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lee, Sidney, ed. (1897). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 49. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ^ Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714, Rokebye-Ryves
- ^ Beresford, David "Rokeby, William" Cambridge Dictionary of Irish Biography
- ^ a b c Ball, F. Elrington The Judges In Ireland 1221-1921 John Murray London 1926 Volume 1 page 155
- ^ a b c d O'Flanagan, J. Roderick The Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of Ireland 2 Volumes London 1870
- ^ Lives of the Lord Chancellors- the author suggests that Rokeby thought that it was beneath the dignity of clergymen to play the game.
- ^ Jones, B. (1963), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1300–1541, vol. 4, pp. 48–49