John Everard (MP)

Everard, in a farcical scene, initially refused to vacate the chair until he was literally sat upon, which caused him to fall into disgrace for a time, but he was later restored to royal favour.

Nonetheless, he soon earned a reputation as a "learned counsel", whose clients included several prominent members of the Butler dynasty, notably the Earl of Ormond, and was also in demand as an arbitrator.

[5] This gave grave offence to the Crown, especially at a time when the Lord Deputy of Ireland was Sir Arthur Chichester, a firm Protestant who vigorously enforced the Penal Laws, even going to the lengths of executing Catholic bishops.

Everard however was held in high regard by most of those who knew him – even Chichester liked him personally – and for a time he was allowed to retain office, partly due to the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement.

Though he was accused by his opponents of engaging in dubious land dealings[8] he was also noted for his acts of charity, and obtained a royal charter to found two almshouses in Fethard in 1611.

[16] Among his fellow lawyers at the Inns was the judge and MP Sir Christopher Sibthorpe, noted for his strong Puritan beliefs and anti-Catholic polemics, but the two men seem to have avoided an open quarrel.

[17] After Chichester was recalled as Lord Deputy in 1616, Everard felt confident enough to write to the English Crown, urging the relaxation of the laws against recusancy, and for the admission of Catholics to the legal profession.

[18] His hopes of reform were quickly dashed, as Chichester's successor Oliver St John, 1st Viscount Grandison, continued the policy of persecuting recusants, especially priests.

Nonetheless, Everard was still well regarded by the Crown, receiving several privileges in the form of the right to hold fairs and markets, although his religion now debarred him from playing a prominent role in public affairs.

In his last years, he enjoyed the friendship of the powerful Anglo-Irish magnate Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, with whom he engaged in several business transactions, and whom he entertained at his home shortly before his death in 1624.