Background
He was born at Isfield, Sussex, the second son of Thomas Shurley and his first wife Anne Pelham of Laughton Place. Sir John Shurley, the politician, was George"s brother.
He was born at Isfield, Sussex, the second son of Thomas Shurley and his first wife Anne Pelham of Laughton Place. Sir John Shurley, the politician, was George"s brother.
University of Cambridge.
George Shurley/Shirley was of Isfield, Sussex, England, having inherited the manor and lands of Isfield from his father, Thomas Shirley (1534-1579) and his wife Anna Pelham (1538-1571). The manor had initially belonged to his great-grandfather, John Shirley, Cofferer to the King (1470-1527) and had been passed down through the family.
The incription on Shurley's memorial in Isfield provides his dates of birth and death as well as a summary of his life: "Here lyeth the body of the honerable Sir George Shurley, Knight, Lord Cheife Justice of cheife pleases of Ireland and one of the Pirvy Councellors there under the late King James and King Charles for 28 years. He was born at Isfield 1569, and died the 15th of October 1647."
After his matriculation from Clare College, Cambridge, in 1587, Shurley was admitted to the Middle Temple (a professional association for barristers), and proceeded to hold various offices in that organization. In 1620 he was knighted by King James I and sent to Ireland as Lord Chief Justice in 1620. He held offices such as commisioner of the plantation of Ulster in 1622, treasurer of the King's Inns, and member of the Irish Privy Council. He sat in the Court of Castle Chamber, a special administrative district that stood in judgement of crimes that undermined the security of the Crown during the turbulent time of Irish rebellion against England's colonization and rule in Ireland, as well as with judicial corruption.
He was described by 19th century historian Erlington Ball in "The Judges in Ireland, 1221-1921," as impartial, conscientious, and a man of integrity in a time when Irish judges had a reputation for corruption. In 1626 he registered a complaint that he was not awarded the role of chief justice of the Common Bench, which was instead given to Dominick Sarsfield, 1st Viscount Sarsfield. Not only was Sarsfield a peer, he was also known for his corruption. Shurley returned to Englad during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, but returned to Ireland when life normalized to resume responsibilities. Known for his political neutrality, George made exception to deliver a courageous speech to the Cartholic Confederation in 1644. He returned to England in 1644, despite having a castle, landholdings, and a desire to remain in Ireland.
In 1590 George Shurley had married Mary, daughter and heiress of Edward Halfhide of Aspenden, Hertfordshire, at Isfield. They had at least 12 children, who along with Mary, remained in England whlie Shurley was away. When he left Ireland, however, he also left behind a second wife, Anna, whose surname is unknown, and by whom he had more children. Anna remained in Ireland after Shurley returned to England.
In his Last Will and Testament dated 8 Feb 1646, Shurley was identified as "Sir George Shurly Kt Chief Justice of His Majesty’s Court of Cheife Place in the Kingdome of Ireland." He bequeathed most of his property to his wife and designated her as executrix of his estate. Mary (Halfide) Shurley made her last will in April 1654, and probably died later the same year, as she refers in her will to her "serious illness."
He matriculated from Clare College, Cambridge in 1587, and was called to the Bar in 1597. He was a member of the Middle Temple and was made a Bencher in 1607. He became Treasurer of the King"s Inn, and a member of the Privy Council of Ireland.