William Scott (justice)

Sir William Scott (d. 1350s) was an English lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 8 January 1341 to 26 November 1346. Originally from Yorkshire – probably Birthwaite in Kexbrough – Scott as Chief Justice presided over trials resulting from Edward III's purge of the administration the previous years. Among those tried was William de la Pole. After retiring from this position, Scott largely withdrew from public life, probably because of ill health. He returned to Yorkshire to attend to his estates. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography says that he "was still alive on 10 March 1352...but was certainly dead by 11 May 1356, and probably by 1354".

Sir William Scott
28th Lord Chief Justice of England
In office
8 January 1341 – 26 November 1346
MonarchEdward III
Prime MinisterHenry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster (1341–1345)
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1345–1346)
(as Lord High Stewards)
ChancellorRobert Parning (1341–1343)
Robert Sadington (1343–1345)
John de Ufford (1345–1346)
Preceded byRobert Parning
Succeeded byWilliam de Thorpe

Sources

edit
  • Summerson, Henry. "Scott, Sir William (d. 1352x6)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/24930. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Legal offices
Preceded by Lord Chief Justice
1341–1346
Succeeded by