GASCOIGNE, Sir WILLIAM, an eminent English judge, belonging to a noble Norman family, was b. at Gaythorpe, Yorkshire, in 1330. After studying for the bar, he acquired considerable reputation as a pleader, and in 1393 was made serjcant-at-law. On the accession of Henry IV. in 1399, he was appointed one of the justices of the court of common pleas; and in 1401, was promoted to be chief-justice of the king's bench. In this high oilice he distinguished himself both by integrity and ability, and in the older English law reports are many abstracts of his opinions. arguments, and decisions. In July, 1403, he was joined with the earl of Westmoreland in a commission for levying forces against the insurrection of Henry Percy, the celebrated Hotspur He was Also nominated one of the commissioners to treat with the rebels. On this and another memorable occasion, lie acted with a courage and rectitude which evinced that he was guided by the true spirit of judicial independence. On the apprehension of Scroop, archbishop of York, he refused, at the command of the king, to sentence that prelate to death as a traitor, because the law gave him no jurisdiction over the life of an ecclesiastic.
Henry respected his uprightness, and knighted him the same year. When one of the dissolute associates of the prinCe of Wales was arraigned before him for felony, the prince imperiously demanded his release, and on being ordered to leave the court, he rushed furiously up to the bench, and, it is recorded, struck the chief-justice on the judgment-seat. Gascoigne immediately committed him to prison, when the prince, sen sible of his misconduct, at once submitted. On being informed of the circumstance, the king thanked God for having given him " both a judge who knew how to administer the laws, and a son who respected their authority." Gascoigne was called to the first parliament of Henry V., but died the same year, bee. 17, 1413. He was twice married, and left numerous deitendants by both his wives.