James Bathe

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James Bathe (c.1500–1570) was an Irish judge, notable for serving as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer for thirty years under four monarchs. He was grandfather of the 1st Earl of Roscommon.

Background

He was born at Beshellstown in Meath to a long established family, the main branch of which was settled at Athcarne. Sir Thomas Bathe, an earlier Chief Baron, belonged to the same family, as did John Bathe, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas.[1] James entered Middle Temple in 1522 and was Master of the Revels in 1524.[2]

Career

Early in his career he narrowly escaped being implicated in the rebellion of Silken Thomas, as he was close to several of the rebels.[3] Through Thomas St. Lawrence, the Attorney General for Ireland he obtained the confidence of the Lord Deputy, Leonard Grey and was sent by him to report to Thomas Cromwell on the state of Irish government. He survived Grey's downfall in 1540 and played a considerable role in the Dissolution of the Monasteries.[4] He outwardly conformed to the Church of Ireland but is said to have remained faithful to the Roman Catholic Church in private.[5]

He was appointed the Irish Chief Baron in 1540 and held office under each successive Tudor monarch until his death in 1570, being commended for his good service to the Crown.[6] In his last years however his health and faculties began to fail, and there were numerous complaints about his inabiltiy for office. Sir Henry Sidney, the Lord Deputy of Ireland wrote to Elizabeth I caustically in 1567 about the state of the Exchequer of Ireland : " God knoweth how your revenues and finances are there ordered".[7]

Family and property

He married Elizabeth Burnell, widow of Robert Barnewall of Drimnagh Castle.[8] They had at least two children:

  • John Bathe, Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer
  • Jane Bathe, who married Sir Lucas Dillon, who succeeded his father-in-law as Chief Baron; they were parents of-

James Bathe became a substantial landowner in Dublin: he acquired Drimnagh Castle through marriage and also had a seat at Drumcondra.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Hart, A.R. The History of the King's Sergeants-at-law in Ireland Four Courts Press Dublin 2000 p.38
  2. ↑ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 John Muray London 1926 Vol 1. p.204
  3. ↑ Ball, p.204
  4. ↑ Ball, p.204
  5. ↑ Lennon, Colm Sixteenth-century Ireland- the Incomplete Conquest Gill and Macmillan 1994 pp.313-4
  6. ↑ Ball, p.204
  7. ↑ Ball p.142
  8. ↑ Ball, p.204
  9. ↑ Ball, p.204
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