Shute, Robert (b. ABT 1528, d. APR 1590)

Note: Robert Shute probably matriculated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1542, although it is possible that he attended Christ's College instead. He studied at Grey's Inn beginning in 1550 and was called to the bar two years later. He would remain connected to both Peterhouse and Grey's Inn for many years. He was the Lent reader at Grey's Inn in 1568, Treasurer in 1577 and also double reader that year.

In 1558 he was elected recorder of Cambridge, but the Queen "expressed the wish" that George Freville, appointed a baron of the Exchequer, retain that post. Nonetheless the corporation of Cambridge asked her to confirm their choice and she did so. When Shute was elevated to the bench in 1579, however, Queen Elizabeth I commanded that he retain the post of recorder for life. When the Queen visited Cambridge in 1664, it was Shute who delivered the welcoming speech. One of his most important tasks as recorder was keeping the peace between the town and the university, no easy job.

He served in Parliament, representing Cambridge in the Parliaments of 1571 and 1572. The latter Parliament sat until 1581.

Shute was elevated to the bench as Second Baron of the Exchequer in 1579. His patent required that "he shall be reputed, and be of the same order, rank, estimation, dignity and pre-eminence, to all intents and purposes, as any puisne judge of either of the two other courts." In 1586 he was elevated again, this time to be a judge on the Queen's Bench. He also often served as an assize judge.

There is an article on Robert Shute in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Source: (Individual)
Abbreviation: Hasler
Title: P. W. Hasler, Editor, The House of Commons, 1558-1603 (LOndon: HMSO, 19
81)
81.

Source: (Individual)
Abbreviation: DNB

Given Name: Robert

Death: APR 1590

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Given Name: Thomasine

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Given Name: Robert

Death: 15 FEB 1682

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Given Name: Thomas

Death: BEF 6 SEP 1604 Cranbrook, Kent, England

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Given Name: Mary

Death: NOV 1609 Cranbrook, Kent, England

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Given Name: Mary

Death: 22 JUL 1693

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Given Name: Thomas

Death: BEF 6 MAY 1620

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Given Name: Johane

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Given Name: John

Death: 11 SEP 1598

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Given Name: Elizabeth

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Given Name: Robert

Death: BEF 9 OCT 1576

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Given Name: Joane

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Given Name: Richard

Death: 26 AUG 1603

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Given Name: Elizabeth

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Given Name: Thomas

Death: 4 FEB 1582 Oakington, Cambridgeshire, England

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Given Name: Edward

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Given Name: Christopher

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Given Name: Christopher

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Given Name: Thomasine

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Given Name: Edmund

Death: BEF 1 NOV 1626 St. Dunston's, Cranbrook, Kent, England

Change: Date: 9 Feb 2003