Christopher Conyers (bailiff of Richmond) facts for kids

Christopher Conyers lived in Hornby, Yorkshire, a place in northern England, during the 1400s. He was an important person in his local area and played a part in the early years of the Wars of the Roses, a big conflict in England. He passed away sometime between 1461 and 1465.

Family Life and Many Children

Christopher Conyers was the son of John Conyers of Hornby. He first married Ellen Roleston in November 1415. After Ellen passed away in 1433, he married Margaret Waddesley.

Christopher Conyers had a very large family! Between his two wives, he had twenty-five children, including twelve sons. This was quite unusual for the time, as most families only focused on providing for their oldest son. However, Christopher was able to help many of his younger sons too. This was partly because his oldest son married the daughter of Lord Darcy, which brought the family more money. Christopher also arranged good marriages for many of his children. Being able to provide for so many children showed how important and well-respected he was in his region.

His good standing was also clear because he helped manage property for other local people, like John Waddesford. He also witnessed important property deals between powerful figures like Richard Clairvaux and Lord Scrope of Bolton.

Working for the Nevilles

Even though Christopher Conyers was never made a knight or a sheriff (a top official in the county), he held important positions. In 1436, he became the bailiff (a kind of manager) for the Honour of Richmond. This was during the time when the Earl of Salisbury was in charge of that area.

In the same year, Conyers was chosen to help manage the Earl of Salisbury's will. This was important because the Earl was going to serve the king in France during the later part of the Hundred Years' War. If the Earl's mother died while he was away, Christopher Conyers and others would make sure her lands were managed for the Earl, instead of going back to the king temporarily.

Later Important Tasks

In 1464, Christopher Conyers was given a special job by the king. He worked alongside powerful leaders like the Earl of Warwick and Lord Greystoke. Their mission was to take back several castles in Northumberland that were still held by soldiers from the House of Lancaster. These castles included Bamburgh, Alnwick, and Dunstanburgh.