Empson, SIR RICHARD

Empson, SIR RICHARD, the unpopular agent of Henry VII., was the son of a wealthy citizen of Towcester, Northamptonshire, and was trained for the bar. In 1491 he became Speaker of the House of Commons, and in 1504, now a knight, High Steward of Cambridge University, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Throughout Henry's reign he was employed like Edmund Dudley (q.v.) in exacting taxes and penalties due to the crown. His conduct, defended by himself as strictly legal throughout, was by the people regarded as infamous and tyrannical, and in the second year of Henry VIII.'s reign he was convicted of tyrannising and of constructive treason, attainted, and beheaded on Tower Hill with his partner Dudley, 17th August 1510.