Robert Broke

or Brook Son of Thom. Broke of Claverley in Shropshire, 1521 by Margaret his Wife, Daughter of Hugh Grosvenor of Farmot in the said County, was born, as I conceive, at Claverley, laid a foundation of Literature at Oxon; which was a great advantage to him when he studied the municipal Laws in the Middle Temple, where he became the compleatest Lawyer of his time. In 1542, he was elected Autumn or Summer Reader of that House, and in the latter end of the Year (in Lent) 1550, he was elected Double-Reader. In 1552, he was by writ called to be Serjeant at Law, and in 1553, being the first Year of Qu. Mary, he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common pleas (and not of the Common-bench as some say) and about that time received the honor of Knighthood from that Queen: In whose Reign, and after, he was held in high value for his profound knowledge in the Law, and for his just and upright dealing in all matters relating to the profession thereof. He hath written,

An abridgment, containing an abstract of the Year—Bookes till the time of Qu. Marie. Lond. 1573. fol. 76, 86, &c. qu.

Certain cases adjudged in the time of K. Hen. 8. Ed. 6. and Qu. Marie, from 6. Hen. 8. to the 4. of Qu. Marie-Lond. 1578. 1604. 25. &c. in oct. The original title of this Book is in French Ascuns novel cases, &c.

Reading on the Statute of limitations 32. H. 8. c. 2. Lond. 1647. oct. Printed I think before that time. This Sir Rob. Broke, who was a zealous Cathol. died, as it seems, in Aug. or Sept. 1558 in Fifteen hundred fifty and eight, but where buried I cannot yet tell. In his Will (m)(m) Ib. in Offic. praerog. ut sup. in reg. Noodes, part. 2. proved. 12. Oct. the same Year, he several times remembers the Church and Poor of Putney near London. I find another of both his names, who is written Esquire, Serjeant at Law and Recorder of London, under whose name was published, Reading upon the statute of Magna Charta, chap. 16. Lond. 1641. qu. before which time the Author was dead. Whether the same with Rob. Brook of Brasenose, who was admitted Master of Arts 1584. I think not. As for Sir Rob. Broke the Judge, he obtained a fair estate by his endeavours, which he left to his posterity, remaining at Madeley in Shropshire, and at one or two places in Suffolk.