Anthony Fitzherbert

whose great Learning in the Wisdom of the Law, both the judicial Court of Pleas, wherein he sate Justice a long time, and also those exact Books of our Common Law by him exquisitely penn’d and publish’d, do sufficiently Witness, was born of, (being the Son of Ralph Fitzherbert, Esq.) and descended from, a right Ancient Family living at Norbury in Derbyshire, laid a Foundation of Learning in this University, on which he built a firm structure in after times, but in what House here, or in what Inn of Court afterwards, it appears not. Sure it is that having made a most fruitful progress in his Studies, he was constituted Serjeant at Law 18. Nov. 2. Hen. 8. Dom. 1510, one of the Kings Serjeants six Years after, (being about that time made a Knight) and in 1522. one of the Justices of the Common-pleas, and not of the Kings-bench, as one (g)(g) W, D [•] gd. in Chronica Ser. at the end of Orig. Jurid. doth falsely report. In which place, carrying himself with great prudence, justice, and knowledge, became at length the Oracle of the Law, and was admired by all for his profundity in it. His works are,

Grand abridgment of the common Law contained in the Year Books, and other Books of Law, Readings, and Records. Lond. 1516. 1565. fol. afterwards in qu. divided into several parts or vol. From which abridgment and others, Rich Bellew of Lincolns Inn, did collect cases adjudged in the time of K. Rich. 2.

A Calender or Index.—See in Will. Rast all.

Magna charta, cum diversis aliis statut is. Lond. 1519. in 12.

Office and authority of Justices of Peace. Lond. 1547. and 63. qu. enlarged by Rich. Crompton Esq:—Lond. 1583. qu. &c.

Office of Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Escheators, Constables, Coroners, &c.—Printed several times with the former.

Of the diversity of courts.—Compiled 21. H. 8. So Sir Edw. Coke in his Reports Vol. 10. in the Proem.

Natura Brevium Novel. Printed at Lond. 26. Hen. 8. and afterwards several times in oct. and qu. corrected and revised, with a Table added, by Will. Rastall. Printed also several times in French in oct. &c. The same is also translated into English, and hath added thereunto the authorities in Law, and some other Cases and Notes, &c. See more in Will. Rastall, under the Year 1565. This Natura Brevium is esteemed an exact work, excellently well penn’d, and hath been much admired by the noted Men in the common Law.

Of the surveving of Lands. Lond. 1567.

The Book of Husbandry very profitable and necessary for all Persons—Printed in the Reign of Queen Mary, and in the beginning of Queen Eliz. This Book I have seen more than once, under Anth. Fitzherberts name, yet there are not wanting some who say ’twas penn’d by his Brother Job. Fitzherbert. This famous Lawyer Ant. Fitzherbert, who had been an enemy to Card. Wolsey, paid his last debt to nature in the Summer time (before August) in Fifteen hundred thirty and eight, 1538 (30. Hen. 8.) whereupon his body was buried in the Church of Norbury before-mention’d. Soon after was a blew Marble-stone laid over his Grave, with an Inscription thereon, which is now remaining. His name and posterity are yet, as I conceive, living at Norbury, Tissington and Somersal in Derbyshire, and elsewhere.