William Morton | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the King's Bench | |
| In office 23 November 1665 – 23 September 1672 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1605 Newcastle, Northumberland |
| Died | (1672-09-23)23 September 1672 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Oxford |
| Profession | MP, Judge |
Lieutenant Colonel Sir William MortonKS (1605 – 23 September 1672) was an English judge and politician who sat in theHouse of Commons in 1640 and from 1663 to 1665. He fought on theRoyalist side in theEnglish Civil War.
Morton was born in Newcastle, Northumberland, the son of James Morton of Clifton-on-Severn, Worcestershire and his wife Jane Cookes. He was admitted atSidney Sussex College, Cambridge on 30 June 1618[1] and matriculated atTrinity College, Oxford in October 1621 aged 15.[2] He was awarded BA from Cambridge in 1622. He was admitted atInner Temple on 22 October 1622. He received MA in 1625 and was called to the bar on 28 November 1630,[1][2] beginning his career as a barrister.
Morton married Anne Smyth daughter of John Smyth of Kidlington, Oxfordshire.[2]
In April 1640, Morton was electedMember of Parliament forEvesham in theShort Parliament.[3] After the outbreak of theEnglish Civil War he became a ferverent supporter of the Royalists, being described at the time as
active and violent...of a high spirit and bold...most obnoxious to the justice of Parliament.[4]
Serving asHigh Sheriff of Gloucestershire and in Lord Chandos's Regiment of Horse, Morton was knighted byCharles I on 8 September 1643, and later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and made commander of the garrison ofSudeley Castle. The castle fell on 8 June 1644, after one of his officers betrayed the Royalists, and Morton and 300 of his men were taken to theTower of London. On 1 October 1647, he was ordered to be removed to Peter House.[2] He was eventually released, becoming aBencher of the Inner Temple on 24 November 1659.[5]
At theRestoration, Morton becameSerjeant-at-Law on 6 July 1660,Recorder of Gloucester on 18 April 1662 andKing's Serjeant on 1 July 1663.[2] In 1663, he was elected MP forHaverfordwest, serving on 12 committees, and sat until 1665.[6] He served as aJustice of the King's Bench underSir Matthew Hale from 23 November 1665 until his death on 23 September 1672.[4]
Morton died aged 68 and was buried in theTemple Church, London on 1 October 1672 where there is a monument.[2]
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant | Member of Parliament forEvesham 1640 With:William Sandys | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forHaverfordwest 1663 – 1665 | Succeeded by |