DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.53268#0029
O F
SIR CHRISTOPHER WRAY.
CIR CHRISTOPHER WRAY, Knt. (as the Baronetages inform us)
was born at Bedal, in Yorkfhire, in 1523. He received his academical
education at Magdalen College, in Cambridge, and was from thence re-
moved to Lincoln’s Inn, where he became eminent in the profelfion and
praftice of the law, ?md was made Queen’s Serjeant in 1566.
He fucceffively reprefented the boroughs of Boroughbridge, Great Griml-
by, and Luggerlhall, and was chofen Speaker of the Houfe of Commons
in the Parliament called in 1571. He was foon after advanced to be a
Juftice of the Court of Common Pleas, and was in 1574 conftituted Lord
Chief Juftice of England. He, with the other Judges, fettled the form of
the commiftion of the peace as it continues, with very little alteration, to
this day. He prefided as Lord Privy Seal at the trial of Secretary Davifon,
and although he concurred in the fentence of the Court of Star-Cham-
ber, yet he thought him a proper objefl for the Queen’s clemency, and
was inftrumental in obtaining a mitigation of his fine. He pofleffed a
clear difcerning judgment, fet off by a free and graceful elocution to
charm and command his audience; none more tender to the poor, nor more
ftern to the rich. “ The FEra when he prefided in Weftminfter-Hall was
remarkable for the integrity and uprightnefs of the Judges. Queen Eliza-
beth, who knew when and where to beftow her favors, gave him part of
the profits of a coinage, to build his houfe at Glentworth, in Lincolnfhire.
He had acquired a confiderable landed property, as appears by the in-
quihtion taken after his death. For the prefervation of an eftate, he ufed
to fay, four things were neceflary. To underftand it—not to fpend till
it comes—to keep old fervants—to have a quarterly audit.*
His benefaftions to Magdalen College, in Cambridge, were confiderable.
In 1587 he gave the impropriate parfonage of Grainthorpe, in Lincoln-
fhire, for the maintenance of two fellows and fix fcholars ; two years after-
wards he built an addition of twelve chambers to the college, and by will
left twenty nobles out of his manor of Newbal, in Lincolnfhire, for the
fupport of one fellow. In gratitude for thefe benefactions, the Reverend
William By water, Fellow of Magdalen, on the Wray Foundation, prefented
to the college, in 1788, a portrait of Sir Chriftopher Wray, copied by
* Lloyd’s Worthies, 8vo.
SIR CHRISTOPHER WRAY.
CIR CHRISTOPHER WRAY, Knt. (as the Baronetages inform us)
was born at Bedal, in Yorkfhire, in 1523. He received his academical
education at Magdalen College, in Cambridge, and was from thence re-
moved to Lincoln’s Inn, where he became eminent in the profelfion and
praftice of the law, ?md was made Queen’s Serjeant in 1566.
He fucceffively reprefented the boroughs of Boroughbridge, Great Griml-
by, and Luggerlhall, and was chofen Speaker of the Houfe of Commons
in the Parliament called in 1571. He was foon after advanced to be a
Juftice of the Court of Common Pleas, and was in 1574 conftituted Lord
Chief Juftice of England. He, with the other Judges, fettled the form of
the commiftion of the peace as it continues, with very little alteration, to
this day. He prefided as Lord Privy Seal at the trial of Secretary Davifon,
and although he concurred in the fentence of the Court of Star-Cham-
ber, yet he thought him a proper objefl for the Queen’s clemency, and
was inftrumental in obtaining a mitigation of his fine. He pofleffed a
clear difcerning judgment, fet off by a free and graceful elocution to
charm and command his audience; none more tender to the poor, nor more
ftern to the rich. “ The FEra when he prefided in Weftminfter-Hall was
remarkable for the integrity and uprightnefs of the Judges. Queen Eliza-
beth, who knew when and where to beftow her favors, gave him part of
the profits of a coinage, to build his houfe at Glentworth, in Lincolnfhire.
He had acquired a confiderable landed property, as appears by the in-
quihtion taken after his death. For the prefervation of an eftate, he ufed
to fay, four things were neceflary. To underftand it—not to fpend till
it comes—to keep old fervants—to have a quarterly audit.*
His benefaftions to Magdalen College, in Cambridge, were confiderable.
In 1587 he gave the impropriate parfonage of Grainthorpe, in Lincoln-
fhire, for the maintenance of two fellows and fix fcholars ; two years after-
wards he built an addition of twelve chambers to the college, and by will
left twenty nobles out of his manor of Newbal, in Lincolnfhire, for the
fupport of one fellow. In gratitude for thefe benefactions, the Reverend
William By water, Fellow of Magdalen, on the Wray Foundation, prefented
to the college, in 1788, a portrait of Sir Chriftopher Wray, copied by
* Lloyd’s Worthies, 8vo.