and sufficiency, every way we think worthy both of that place of Chief Justice, and a better also, yet upon good consideration had by us here, and finding by himself also, that he is able to do us better service in the place which he now hath, than if he had the other, although the same be both of higher calling, and should be of more commodity unto him, we have liked not to remove him from the office of our Chief Baron, and have been pleased, upon the commendation given to us and our Council here, by the said Sir Lucas, of the worthiness and sufficiency in our trusty and well beloved James Dowdall, second justice of our said Bench, to discharge the place of Chief Justice, and of his good services already done, to choose and appoint him to that place. Wherefore, our will is, &c.—25 d. R. 21.
Robert Gardiner, Serjeant at Law, in England,—Dowdall deceased. Privy Seal, Greenwich, 19 Feb. 1585,—patent, Dublin, 20 May, 1585.—Fee, £300 English, from 10 Jan.—"Whereas for the better administration of justice to our subjects of all sorts in that realm, we have thought it very requisite to have 9 Chief Justice for pleas before us, to be holden as in former times have been there; these are therefore to jet you understand, that for the good opinion we have of our well beloved Robert Gardiner, Serjeant at the Laws, as well for his learning as for his integrity, we have made choice of him to have that place of our Chief Justice in that our realm, for pleas before us
