Barker v. Norton

Robert Barker and Bonham Norton’s working relationship began as a civil partnership, however relations became dysfunctional in 1618. From this point on, the two would send several chanceries and lawsuits between each other requesting recompenses and unpaid fees. Many of the men’s arguments centred around shares owned by Robert Barker’s eldest son, Christopher, who had married Norton’s daughter in 1615. These disputes led to instability within the King’s Printing House and a series of different names were used under the title of King’s Printer before Robert Barker was officially given the position in 1629. This caused further tension between the two men as Bonham Norton believed that Barker had bribed the Lord’s Keeper for the position. Though it is plausible that this did occur, Norton’s accusation resulted in his being sentenced and put in jail where he died in 1635.