Edward Fitz-Symon

[4] We have some glimpses of Fitz-Symon's official work: in 1577, during the height of the "cess" controversy, concerning the power of the Crown to levy taxes on the Anglo-Irish gentry of the Pale for the upkeep of military garrisons, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Sir William Gerard, called on him to give an important opinion on the royal prerogative.

[6] On another occasion he was asked to advise on a commission to reform the customs at Chester, but refused on the ground that he did not have adequate time.

[7] Gerard was clearly unimpressed by Fitz-Symon's abilities, calling him a man "of mean learning" (he thought poorly of Irish officials generally).

In 1572 he sat on a commission to inquire into the extent of the former lands of the O'Doyne clan, and decide whether they should be incorporated into Queen's County.

[10] Fitz-Symon is said to have made a considerable fortune: he leased Grange Abbey, Baldoyle, from Dublin Corporation, and in 1575 he sent £100, then a large sum, to his son Christopher, who was a student in London.

His son Christopher wrote to him from London in 1581 to say that he had temporarily left the Inner Temple, due to the recent establishment of a commission to inquire into the religious orthodoxy of all barristers and students who did not attend Anglican service.