Roger Cholmeley

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Sir Roger Cholmeley (born c. 1485, died London 21 June 1565) was Lord Chief Justice of England from 1552 to 1553.

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[edit] Background and early life

Cholmeley was the illegitimate son of Sir Richard Cholmley (died 1521) of Yorkshire, and was educated to the law at Lincoln's Inn from 1506. Despite being expelled from there three times, he entered the legal profession.

[edit] Career

Most of Cholmeley's career as a lawyer was spent in the City of London, but he lived at Highgate in Middlesex.

In 1520 he was called as a bencher of Lincoln's Inn, in 1531 became a serjeant-at-law, and in November 1534 was knighted. From 1535 to 1545 he was Recorder of London, and was one of the city's members in four parliaments.

In November 1545 Cholmley became chief baron of the Exchequer, and in May 1552 was appointed to Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He was Lord Chief Justice for only a year, because Queen Mary I would not reappoint him. He was imprisoned for a month and fined for signing Lady Jane Grey's instrument of succession. He returned to work as a barrister and was a member of parliament for Middlesex in the early 1550s.

[edit] Highgate School

Cholmeley founded Highgate School, which was established by Royal Charter in 1565. Former pupils of the school are known as Category:Old Cholmeleians in his memory. The school has gone on to become a leading independent school (sometimes referred to as a public school). There are many world famous old boys who have gone on to conquer their field of expertise. Great examples of this are the Dr Venn the creator of Venn diagrams, the great poets Gerard Manely Hopkins and John Betjeman, musicians - John Tavernaer and John Rutter and many a like.

Legal offices
Preceded by
Richard Lyster		 Lord Chief Justice
1552–1553		 Succeeded by
Thomas Bromley
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[edit] References