William de Thorpe

Who was William de Thorpe?

Sir William de Thorpe was an English lawyer, and Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 26 November 1346 to 26 October 1350. As a clerk of this court he was assaulted on one occasion in 1318, when his enemies allegedly even urinated on him. He was knighted in 1345, at the same time as he was made justice of the King's Bench.

Thorpe accumulated great estates, particularly in Lincolnshire, and his wealth must have derived primarily from bribes and maintenance. In 1350 he was imprisoned and condemned to hanging and confiscation of all property. By 1351, however, he had been pardoned and had his property restored. The next year he was made baron of the exchequer, and also held various other commissions. In 1357 he was excommunicated for non-appearance at the trial of Thomas de Lisle, bishop of Ely, in Avignon.

He appears to have had a son by the same name.