Robert de Hemmingburgh

Robert de Hemmingburgh (died 1349) was an English born judge and priest, who held office as Master of the Rolls in Ireland.

St Mary's Church, Hemingbrough, which was Robert's birthplace

He took his name from his birthplace, Hemingbrough in North Yorkshire. William de Hemmingborough, who died in Hemingborough in 1410, may have been a relative of Robert, or may simply, like Robert, have taken his name from his homeplace.

Robert became a clerk of the Chancery about 1319 and is said to have been a valued royal servant who was highly regarded by both Edward II and Edward III. He is also said to have been a noted religious pluralist, acquiring numerous livings in England, Scotland and Ireland, though we know the names of only two of these livings, Glasgow and Antingham, Norfolk.

In 1337 he was sent to Ireland in the entourage of the new Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Thomas Charlton, Bishop of Hereford. He was appointed Master of the Rolls- only the third holder of the office- and served as Master until 1346. He died in 1349.

References[]

• Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926
• Burton, Thomas The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Hemingborough in the County of York Published at York by Sampson Brothers First edition 1888