A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices/Bramston, Sir John (1577—1654)
Admitted 26 October, 1597.
Eldest son of Roger Bramston, of Borham, Essex. He was born at Maldon in Essex 18 May, 1577, and educated there and at Cambridge. He was called to the Bar 7 June, 1605. In 1623 he was elected Lent Reader of the Inn. In the same year he took the degree of the Coif, and in 1635 became Chief Justice of the King's Bench. In this capacity it was his misfortune to have to give his opinion on the subject of ship-money, and, it being in favour of the King, this exposed him to the resentment of Parliament, and he was impeached, with Robert Berkeley (q.v.) and three other judges. He was not, however, proceeded against with so much rigour as Berkeley, and he shortly returned into favour with the Commons, who in 1646-7 named him one of the Commissioners of the Great Seal. He refused, however, this, and all other offers of office, and lived in privacy till the day of his death, 22 Sept. 1654. Lord Clarendon speaks of Bramston as "a man of great learning and integrity," and Fuller says he "was accomplished with all qualities requisite for a person of his place and profession, … deep learning, solid judgment, integrity of life and gravity of behaviour."