Nicholas Nugent

Nicholas Nugent (c. 1525–1582) was an Anglo-Irish judge, who was hanged for treason by the (British) government that appointed him. He had, before his downfall, a highly successful career, holding office as Solicitor General for Ireland, Baron of the Irish Court of Exchequer, and Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas, but he was ruined by the rebellion of his nephew William Nugent, which he was accused of supporting.

Nicholas Nugent was born between 1525 and 1530. Like many Irish judges of the time he belonged to the Anglo-Irish aristocracy of the Pale. His father Sir Christopher Nugent (died 1531) was the son and heir of Richard Nugent, 4th Baron Delvin; his mother was Marian St Lawrence, daughter of Nicholas St Lawrence, 4th Baron Howth. His father predeceased his grandfather and the title passed to Nicholas' elder brother Richard, who died young in 1559 leaving two sons: Christopher Nugent, the sixth Baron, and William.

Nicholas married Janet Plunket, daughter of Sir John Plunket, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, and widow of Thomas Marward, titular Baron Skryne; they had one surviving son, Richard. Nicholas was given wardship of his step-daughter, who was also named Janet. The younger Janet was a considerable heiress and Nicholas wished her to marry his nephew William; the marriage took place but only after William caused a scandal by abducting her.

Nicholas entered Lincoln's Inn in 1558. His future rival for judicial office, Sir Robert Dillon, was there at the same time and their lifelong enmity seems to have begun when they were students: in 1560 they were ordered to stop fighting and bound over to keep the peace.

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