Ralf Hogge facts for kids
Ralf Hogge was an important English iron-master and gun maker. He made cannons for the king. His name is sometimes spelled "Ralph" or "Huggett." He lived a long time ago, in the 1500s.
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Making the First Iron Cannon
Ralf Hogge helped make history in 1543. He worked with a French cannon-maker named Pierre Baude. They also worked for a church leader, Parson William Levett. Together, they successfully made the very first iron cannon in England. This was a big deal for England's defense!
Hogge's Own Business
After Parson Levett passed away, Ralf Hogge started his own business. He used the special method he had helped create. He became very good at making cannons. His skills and business grew quickly.
From Worker to Gentleman
By 1560, Ralf Hogge was no longer just "Parson Levett's servant." He was known as "Mr. Ralf Hogge, gentleman." This shows how successful he became. He started as a simple worker. But his work in making iron cannons helped him become a respected country gentleman.
A Famous Saying About Hogge
People remembered Ralf Hogge's achievement. A short verse was even written about it:
- Master Huggett and his man John
- they did cast the first cannon.
Hogge House in Buxted
Ralf Hogge is believed to have built a house in the village of Buxted, in East Sussex. It is called Hogge House. He put his name and the year 1583 on the house. He used a special cast iron symbol, called a rebus, above the door.
Family and Business Records
Ralf Hogge married Margaret Henslowe. Her brother was Philip Henslowe. Philip was famous for running theaters in Elizabethan times. He kept diaries from 1592 to 1609. These diaries tell us a lot about the theaters back then.
Interestingly, Philip Henslowe wrote his diaries on the back of Ralf Hogge's old business papers. These papers were from 1576 to 1581. They give us a great look into how Ralf Hogge ran his iron business. They also show how cannons were made a long time ago.
