James Dowdall (Chief Justice)

Sir James Dowdall (died 1584) was an Irish judge of the Elizabethan era who briefly held office as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He should not be confused with James Dowdall, the Catholic martyr, who was his cousin.

Early career[]

He was born in County Louth, son of Christopher Dowdall, and nephew of George Dowdall (died 1558), Archbishop of Armagh.^[1] His mother was Thomasine Cusack, daughter of John Cusack of Cussington and his first wife Alison de Wellesley, and sister of Sir Thomas Cusack, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. James was something of a favourite of his uncle Thomas, who is said to have encouraged him to pursue a legal career. The Dowdall family, originally called Dovedale, came to Ireland from the valley of Dovedale in Derbyshire. Their main estates were at Newtown, County Louth and Termonfeckin. Other notable family members included Sir Robert Dowdall, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas in the previous century, and Robert's son Thomas Dowdall, Master of the Rolls in Ireland.^[2]

Dovedale, Derbyshire

James entered Lincoln's Inn before 1549; an entry in the Inn's books survives from 1554 stating that he was ordered to shave his beard.

Mary I appointed him Principal Solicitor for Ireland in 1554 and Elizabeth I confirmed him in office and later gave him an annuity for his diligence in attending the Court of Castle Chamber (the Irish equivalent of Star Chamber). He resided mainly at Knock in County Louth.

Family[]

He married Elizabeth Thunder, member of a prominent Dublin merchant family (their unusual surname is thought to derive from the French Tonnerre). They had one daughter Ellen, who married John Barnewall. Elizabeth was still alive in 1587, when Sir Henry Colley sued her as the executrix of her husband's estate, for debts he had incurred by standing surety for his brother Patrick.^[3]

Later career[]

He was appointed a justice of the Court of Queen's Bench (Ireland) in 1565 and was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland) in 1577; he was also appointed Chief Justice of Munster, and sat on the Royal Commission to establish the government of that province. He was chosen for several diplomatic missions over the years, and conducted negotiations on behalf of the English Crown with Shane O'Neill and with the Earl of Desmond.^[2]

In 1583 he was knighted and appointed Lord Chief Justice, but died the following year.^[4] According to Elrington Ball he was highly esteemed by his colleagues, and exercised a powerful political influence, especially in Ulster.^[2]

References[]