WUhs: Anglo-American Law 
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IV, and his possessions were forfeited to the king. He worked 
hard for the restoration of Henry VI, but after the death of 
Henry VI and his son, Fortescue retracted all he had said 
against Edwards’ title, his attainder was reversed, and he 
was appointed a privy counsellor. 
Littleton (-1481). Thomas Littleton’s name is still sacred 
in Westminster Hall. After going thru the usual preliminary 
steps of study in one of the Inns of Court (Inner Temple), of 
practice (in Chancery), and becoming a king’s sergeant, he 
was appointed by Edward IV a justice of the Common Pleas, 
where he presided from 1466 to 1481. He was a judge of 
great learning and impartiality, and, tho a Yorkist, Was un- 
influenced by the passions of the contending political parties. 
He was granted two pardons, not for any offenses but for 
abundance of caution, to cover any possible irregularities 
when he was at one time sheriff. His celebrated Treatise on 
Tenures is one of the greatest works of the common law. Coke 
called it “the most perfect work ever written”. 
Tudors. The great lawyers in the time of the Tudors were 
Sir Thomas More, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Edward Mon- 
tagu, and James Dyer. Edward Montagu was made chief 
justice of the King’s Bench by Henry VIII in 1539, but re- 
moved and became chief justice of the Common Pleas in 1545 
because the new position was more profitable tho less exalted. 
He did the dirty legal work of Henry VIII. At first he re- 
fused to agree to the settlement of the crown on Lady Jane 
Grey by Edward Vi’s will, but at last on the command of the 
king under the great seal (with a general pardon for obeying) 
he consented. For this Mary committed him to the Tower, 
but upon his drawing up a complete narrative he was dis- 
charged upon the payment of a fine. James Dyer was judge 
of the Common Pleas and chief justice under Elizabeth, after 
two Catholics had been degraded. He also read to his society 
on the Statute of Wills. A glory surrounded his name be- 
cause of his efficiency, firmness, and patience. He “did keepe 
the prowde in awe”. But all other lawyers in this period 
were eclipsed by the great chancellors Cardinal Wolsey and 
Sir Thomas More. 
Wolsey (1471-1530). Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was prob- 
ably the most extraordinary man who ever ruled the destinies 
of a kingdom. His father was a butcher. He graduated 
