Sir Richard Bolton

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Bolton, Sir Richard, born in Staffordshire, in Elizabeth's reign. He rose rapidly in the law, received the honor of knighthood, and having, in 1621, published an edition of Irish Statutes, and specially turned his attention to Irish legal matters, was appointed Chief-Baron of the Exchequer, and afterwards, in 1639, Lord-Chancellor of Ireland. During the reign of Charles I. the Irish Court of Chancery was in full work — 726 decrees being enrolled, and the Chancellor's salary receiving an addition of £500 a-year; while the Irish Bench were directed to take upon them "together with the coif, the very same form and fashion of robes, habits, and other ornaments as are used here by our judges in England." As a friend of Strafford, Bolton was with several others impeached of high treason by the Irish House of Commons. The proceedings were eventually quashed, and it is thought that this impeachment was to prevent his attending Stratford's trial and giving evidence for him. Amid the conflict of the civil wars he continued patiently and perseveringly penning his Justice of the Peace for Ireland, and other law works. It is probable that he died in England in 1650, whither he had retired during Cromwell's government.

Sources

76. Chancellors of Ireland, and Keepers of the Great Seal: J. Roderick O'Flaherty. 2 vols. London, 1870.

339. Ware, Sir James, Works: Walter Harris. 2 vols. Dublin, 1764.

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