[3] He was a Roman Catholic, until a point in 1570 when his non-conformity with the Church of England became an issue with his Inn passing on a complaint from the Privy Council.

[4] Egerton built a respectable legal practice pleading cases in the Courts of Queen's Bench, Chancery and Exchequer.

Elizabeth died around the beginning of 1600, and then Egerton married Alice Spencer, whose first husband had been Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby.

In November 1599 Egerton, seeking the queen's favour, asked a courtier Michael Stanhope to give her a gift of pearls.

Egerton and Lord Buckhurst travelled to Northamptonshire in June 1603 to greet Anne of Denmark and her children as they journeyed towards Windsor Castle.

[11] Egerton remained in office, and King James made him Lord Chancellor and 1st Baron Ellesmere on 19 July 1603.

Shortly afterwards he presided over the trial of Barons Cobham and Grey de Wilton for high treason for their part in the Main Plot.

Lord Ellesmere supported the Royal prerogative, but was concerned to define it, and ensure it was never confused with the ordinary legal processes.

[13] Towards the end of his life, he stood out against the arguments made by Sir Edward Coke, the Lord Chief Justice, and ultimately aided the King in securing his dismissal.

He was promised the earldom of Bridgewater, but showed little interest, and died twelve days after leaving office on 15 March 1617.