Thomas Ryves

Sir Thomas Ryves (c.1583–1652) was an English civilian. He was a member of a Dorsetshire gentry family, who became a specialist in ecclesiastical law and Admiralty law.

He was born around 1583, eighth son of John Ryves of Damory Court, near Blandford, Dorset and his wife Elizabeth Mervyn. He belonged to a highly talented family: one of his brothers, Sir William Ryves, became Attorney General for Ireland and a judge of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland); another brother, George, became Master of New College, Oxford. Dr. Bruno Ryves, royal chaplain and Dean of Windsor was a first cousin; and Sir John Davies, William Ryves' predecessor as Irish Attorney General, was a connection through his wife.

Ryves entered Winchester College in 1590 and became a fellow of New College, Oxford in 1598. He took his degree of Bachelor of Common Law in 1605 and his doctorate in 1610; he is also said to have studied for a time in France. In 1612 he became an advocate of Doctors' Commons.

Thomas and his brother William relied largely on their connection with Sir John Davies to advance their careers. In 1612 Thomas accompanied Davies on his return to Ireland and did "good service" in helping him manage the Irish Parliament of 1613-15, where after a fierce struggle Davies was elected Speaker of the House of Commons. In 1617 Thomas was appointed judge of the Irish Court of Faculties, but he became embroiled in a long dispute with James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, and other leading clerics, who argued that only a clergyman in holy orders should hold the office. Although Thomas is said to have been greatly respected in Ireland for his legal ability, he eventually resigned the office and returned to England in 1621.

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