Richard Empson
Richard Empson was born about 1450 in Northamptonshire. His father Peter Empson held property at Towcester and Easton Neston. John Stow claimed that his father was a sieve maker, but there is no evidence of this. Richard received legal education which paved the way for his political career. He soon attained considerable success in his profession as a lawyer.
In 1491 Richard Empson became a Knight of the shire for Northamptonshire in Parliament. That same year he served as Speaker of the House of Commons. This position marked his entry into high-level politics under Henry VII. His legal background made him an ideal candidate for such responsibilities. The role required managing parliamentary proceedings with authority and precision.
From around 1504 Empson became a key figure of the Council Learned in the Law. This tribunal operated outside normal common law courts to maximize royal revenues. The Council used informants to prosecute breaches of penal statutes. They imprisoned subjects to force financial settlements on debts owed to the Crown. Empson personally authorized pardons and investigated concealed Crown lands. According to contemporary accounts, Empson and Dudley collected over £200,000 for Henry VII in just four years. Their enforcement methods made them very unpopular among the people they targeted.
Henry VIII ordered Empson thrown into prison after ascending to the throne. He was charged with constructive treason alongside Edmund Dudley. A conviction occurred at Northampton in October 1509. Parliament passed an attainder against him though Hargrave's note suggests no formal act existed. Only an act to prevent forfeiture of some property held by Empson and Dudley in trust followed. Richard Empson was beheaded on the 17th of August 1510. In 1512 his elder son Thomas was restored in blood through an Act of Parliament.
Empson married Lady Jane Hill who bore him ten children. His eldest son Thomas married Audrey Wolston daughter of Sir Guy Wolston. John Empson wed Agnes Lovell daughter of Henry Lovell and Constance Hussey. Elizabeth Empson first married George Catesby then Thomas Lucy in August 1509. Joan Empson married Henry Sothill esquire of Stoke Faston in Leicestershire. Anne Empson married Robert Ingleton before marrying John Higford possibly under duress. Mary Empson became wife of Edward Bulstrode son of Richard Bulstrode. These marriages connected the family to prominent noble houses across England.
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Common questions
When was Richard Empson born and where did he live?
Richard Empson was born about 1450 in Northamptonshire. His father Peter Empson held property at Towcester and Easton Neston.
What political roles did Richard Empson hold under Henry VII?
In 1491 Richard Empson became a Knight of the shire for Northamptonshire in Parliament and served as Speaker of the House of Commons that same year. From around 1504 he became a key figure of the Council Learned in the Law to maximize royal revenues.
How much money did Richard Empson collect for Henry VII?
According to contemporary accounts, Empson and Dudley collected over £200,000 for Henry VII in just four years. Their enforcement methods made them very unpopular among the people they targeted.
Why was Richard Empson executed by Henry VIII?
Henry VIII ordered Empson thrown into prison after ascending to the throne and charged him with constructive treason alongside Edmund Dudley. A conviction occurred at Northampton in October 1509 before Richard Empson was beheaded on the 17th of August 1510.
Who were the children of Richard Empson and what marriages did they make?
Richard Empson married Lady Jane Hill who bore him ten children including Thomas who married Audrey Wolston and Elizabeth who first married George Catesby then Thomas Lucy in August 1509. These marriages connected the family to prominent noble houses across England.