Robert_Townshend_(judge)
Sir Robert Townshend (died 8 February 1555/56) of Ludlow, Shropshire was a judge who held a number of positions, including Chief Justice of the Marches of Wales and Chester.[1] He was the founder of the Cheshire and Shropshire branch of the Townshend family.
Sir Robert Townshend was the second son of Sir Roger Townshend (d.1551) of Raynham, Norfolk[2] and was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1515.[3] He became Justice of the Peace for Norfolk in 1526, Serjeant at Law in 1540 and King's Serjeant in 1543.[4] He was appointed as Justice of Chester in 1545, and was knighted by Henry VIII on 21 May 1545 at Hampton Court Palace.
He married Alice Poppy, a daughter of Robert Poppy. Together they had six sons and six daughters.[1][5] He died on 8 February 1555/6. He was buried in Ludlow church, where his memorial, erected in 1581, is a large table tomb with polychrome recumbent effigies of Sir Robert and Dame Alice, and with empanelled heraldry[6] and images of his children as mourners.[7]
One son, Sir Henry Townshend was also a judge.[8]