Thomas Egerton

, the natural Son of Sir Rich. Egerton of Ridley in Cheshire, was born in that County, applyed his Muse to learning in this University, about 1556. particularly, as ’tis said, in Brasnose coll. of which he was a Commoner, in the year of his age 17 or thereabouts; where continuing about 3 years, laid a foundation whereon to build profounder learning. Afterwards going to Lincolns-Inn he made a most happy progress in the municipal laws, and at length was a Counsellour of note. In 1581. June 28. he was constituted (d)(d) Baronag. Tom. 3. p: 414. b. by the Queen her Solicitor General, and soon after he became Lent-reader of the said Inn. In 1592. June 2. the said Queen made him her Attorney General, in 1594. (he being then a Knight) he was made Master of the Rolls, and two years after Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. In which emiment office he continued during the whole remainder of Qu. Elizabeths happy Reign. On 21. of Jul. 1603. he was raised to the degree of a Baron of this Realm, by the title of L. Ellesmere, and upon the 24. of the said Month, he was made Lord Chancellour of England. In the beginning of Nov. 1610. he was unanimously elected Chanc. of the University of Oxon. and in 14. Jac. 1. dom. 1616. he was advanced to the dignity of Vicount Brackley. He was a most grave and prudent man, a good Lawyer, just and honest, of so quick an apprehension also, and profound judgment, that none of the Bench in his time went beyond him. He hath written,

Speech in the Exchequer Chamber, touching the Postnati. Lond. 1609. in qu. in 16. sheets.

Certain observations concerning the office of Lord Chancellour. Lond. 1651. oct. and left behind him at his death four MSS. of choice collections, fit to be Printed, concerning (1) The prerogative Royal. (2) Priviledges of Parliament. (3) Proceedings in Chancery. (4) The power of the Starr-chamber. He resigned up his last breath, in York-house in the Strand near London 15.1616-7. March in sixteen hundred and sixteen, and was buried in the Church of Dodleston in Cheshire. His memory was much (e)(e) Vide in Epigram. Jo. Sradling, lib. 3. p: 99. lib. 4. 141. & in Epigram. Johannis Bunbari Megalo Briranni, Cent. 2. Epigram: 52. celebrated by Epigrams while he was living, and after his death all of the long Robe lamented his loss. We have his Picture drawn to the life in the habit of Lord Chancellour, setting in a Chair, hanging in the Gallery belonging to the Bodleian Library, called the School-gallery.