Judge (Chief Justice of the King's Bench).

Family claimed descent from the Earls of Salisbury.

Studied at Cambridge, called to the bar at the Middle Temple. Commissioner of the Sewers for Huntingdon, 1531; made sergeant-at-law with 5 day feast with king and queen in attendance, 1531; Commissariat Commissioner of royal forces in Northamptonshire during Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion, 1536; king's sergeant, 1537; knighted, 1537; chief justiceship of king's bench, 1538; chief justice of common pleas, 1545; member of council of regency carrying on government during minority of Edward VI (as stipulated in will of Henry VIII).

In 1553 `required' by Duke of Northumberland to alter the king's will to favor the succession of Lady Jane Grey, decided that the effort was treasonable, but was promised parliamentary pardon, drafted the will and appended his signature as one of the guarantors. On accession of Mary, was confined to the Tower; released on paying a large fine and forfeiting land.

Profited greatly, as did many nobles, by the dissolution of religious lands.

The Middle Temple was one of the buildings that had at one time belonged to the Knights Templar; after the Order was disbanded it became `the' law school in London.

Sources:
The DNB.

http://www.montaguemillennium.com/familyresearch/h_1557_edward.htm