Career
He was born in England, probably in Somerset. He is first heard of in 1287 as an attorney to Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester (died 1295). [2] He visited Ireland in 1291 and returned there "on the King's business" in 1296. [2] In 1298, being a qualified lawyer who was regarded as "a man experienced in Irish affairs", [3] he was appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, at the King's pleasure, in succession to Sir Robert Bagod, who was too "old and infirm" to continue in office. [4]
In 1299 he and his fellow justices of the Common Pleas heard a lawsuit brought by the notoriously corrupt merchant Geoffrey de Morton, a future Mayor of Dublin, and his wife Matilda (or Maud) de Bree, against Matilda's former bailiff William Haleghton: the Court's decision was that William must give an account of his profits. [5]
Inn the same year he, Thomas de Snyterby and John son of Reryth heard an action for novel disseisin between Richard son of Robert and Master William de la Ryvere, who was special envoy to the Gaelic clans. Judgement was given for the plaintiff [6]
Simon witnessed a rather routine royal charter in 1299. [7]
In 1302 he was Constable of Dublin Castle; [2] he died on 2 October of that year.
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Sir Robert Bagod was a judge, Crown servant and military commander in fourteenth-century Ireland.
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