Laurence Merbury

Who is Laurence Merbury?

Sir Laurence Merbury was an English born statesman in Ireland who held the office of Treasurer of Ireland and was also Deputy to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

He was born at Marbury, Cheshire, son of Thomas Merbury. The Talbot family who gained the title Earl of Shrewsbury were Lords of the Manor of Marbury, which was helpful to his later career.

Laurence served as High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1412. He appears to have enjoyed royal favour as early as 1399, being described as a "retainer for life " of the English Crown and was granted an annuity from the customs of Drogheda. He is first heard of in Ireland in 1402 as Treasurer; from 1403 to 1410 he was frequently Deputy to the Lord Chancellor, Thomas Cranley who was often unable through old age, ill health or other duties to act as Chancellor. He acted as Deputy again in 1417, and was Treasurer in 1412-1413. O'Flanagan suggests that his record as Deputy was subject to criticism: when Cranley was asked to present a memorial to the Crown on the state of Government in Ireland, Merbury caused controversy by refusing to affix the Great Seal to it, apparently on the ground that some of the complaints concerned him.