Edmund de Grimsby
Edmund de Grimsby (died 1354) was an English cleric, Crown official and judge. While his career in Ireland lasted only about a year, he is notable as having been the first Master of the Rolls in Ireland.
He derived his name from his birthplace of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.[1] It is likely that he spent his last years there: certainly he retained close links with the town throughout his life, building several houses there and endowing a chantry .[2]
He was parish priest of East Keal in 1322 and of Preston in 1325; he also held the Scottish living of Moffat, Dumfriesshire. In later life he received several further clerical preferments, notably as prebendary of St. Paul's Cathedral.[3]
In 1330, he is mentioned as being a royal clerk. In 1333 the Crown decided that the Lord Chancellor of Ireland required a Keeper or Master of the Rolls to assist him.[4] Grimsby was chosen to be the first Master: he did go to Ireland but returned to England a year later. He resumed his English position as a clerk in Chancery and had custody of the Great Seal in 1340 and 1351. He died in 1354.[5]
References
- Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 John Murray London 1926 Vol.1 p.73
- Ball p.73
- Ball p.73
- Ball p.33
- Ball p.73