Athenæ Oxonienses. The History of Oxford Writers. Vol. 1, p. 292
John Popham
, second Son of Edw. Popham Esꝫ of the ancient and gentile Family of his Name living at Huntworthy in Somersetshire, spent some time in study among the Oxonians, particularly, as it seems, in Balliol coll. being then observed to be given at leisure hours to manly Sports and Encounters. Afterwards he retired to the Middle-Temple, lived a loose life for a time, but taking up soon after, his juvenile humour was reduced to gravity. So that making great proficiency in his studies, became a Barrester, Summer or Autumn-reader of the said Inn, an. 1568. Serjeant at Law soon after, Solicitor General in 1579. Attorney General two years after, and Treasurer of the Middle-Temple. In 1592. he was made L. Ch. Justice of the Kings Bench, as (a)(a) In Annal. Reg. Elizab. an. 1592. vide etiam in Britannia in com. Som. Camden tells us, (tho’ others (b)(b) Dugdale in chron. sei [•] ad finem Orig. jurid. an. 1592. & alii. say of the Common Pleas) in the place of Sir Christop. Wray deceased, and the same year hereceived the honour of Knighthood from her Majesty. While he held that honourable office of L. Ch. Justice, he administred it towards Malefacters with such wholsome and available severity, that England was beholding unto him a long time for a part of her private Peace and home Security. For the truth is, the Land in his days did swarm with Theeves and Robbers, (whose ways and courses he well understood when he was a young Man,) some of whom being condemned by him to die, did gain their Pardons, not from Qu. Elizabeth, but from K. James; which being soon discovered to be prejudicial to Justice, and the Ministers thereof, this our worthy Judge complained to the King of it: Whereupon granting of Pardons were not so often afterwards issued out. His works that are extant are these.
Reports and Cases adjudged in the time of Q. Elizabeth. Lond. 1656. fol. To which are added Remarkable Cases and Reports of other learned Pens since his death. These Reports were afterwards printed again.
Resolutions and Judgments upon Cases and Matters agitated in all Courts at Westminster in the latter end of Qu. Elizabeth. Lond. in qu. collected by Joh. Goldeshurg Esꝫ one of the Protonotaries of the Common Pleas. At length our author Popham dying on the 10. of June in sixteen hundred and seven, 1607 aged 76 years, was buried in the South Isle of the Church at Wellington in Somersetshire: Which Town, he had, for several years before, graced by his habitation. By his last Will and Test. dated 21. Sept. 1604. and proved 17. June 1608. (wherein he stiles himself Chief Justice of the Pleas,) he makes provision for an Hospital to be at Wellington for 6 Men, and 6 Women, and for other works of Charity. Afterwards was a noble Monument erected over his grave; with a short inscription thereon, wherein he is said to have been Privy Councellor to Queen Elizabeth and King James.