William de Epworth
William de Epworth (died after 1348) was an English-born judge and Crown official in Ireland in the reign of King Edward III. His career was marked by conflict with two other judges, Nicholas de Snyterby and John de Troye, who contested his right to sit as a Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland).[1] He also faced allegations of corruption in his conduct in another non-judicial office, which was taken very seriously, but of which he was ultimately cleared.[2]
He was born in
In 1340 he was appointed second Baron of the Exchequer, but faced a challenge to his position from the Irish-born judge Nicholas de Snyterby.[1] The matter was resolved in 1342 in Epworth's favour and Snyterby stood down; he did not suffer undue hardship, since, curiously by modern standards, he also had a seat on the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland).[1]
Epworth however now faced serious allegations of
Epworth was removed from his office of royal steward, but he was appointed
In 1346 he brought a High Court action for
Having cleared his name, he was reappointed to the Bench in 1348,[2] but faced another challenge to his office from the Welsh-born judge John de Troye, who briefly replaced him.[1] On this occasion Epworth was successful and de Troye stepped down, although he was allowed to retain the title Baron, and went on to hold other high offices, including Lord High Treasurer of Ireland. Epworth's date of death is not recorded.[1]
Sources
- Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926
- Patent Rolls Edward III
- Rowberry, Ryan "The origins and development of judicial tenure "during good behaviour" to 1485" in Law and Society in Later Medieval England and Ireland Georgia State University 2017