Ralph Boteler, 1st Baron Sudeley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Boteler
1st & 6th Baron Sudeley
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 Arms of Sir Ralph Boteler
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| Lord High Treasurer | |
| In office 7 July 1443 – 18 December 1446 |
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| Monarch | Henry VI of England |
| Preceded by | Ralph de Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell |
| Succeeded by | Marmaduke Lumley, Bishop of Carlisle |
| Lord Chamberlain of the Household | |
| In office 1441–1447 |
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| Monarch | Henry VI of England |
| Preceded by | William Phelip, 6th Baron Bardolf |
| Succeeded by | James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele |
| Chief Butler of England | |
| In office 1435–1458 |
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| Monarch | Henry VI of England |
| Preceded by | John Tiptoft, 1st Baron Tiptoft |
| Succeeded by | John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1394 Sudeley Castle |
| Died | 2 May 1473 |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Norbury (m. 1418; died 1462) Alice Lovel (m. 1463; died 1474) |
| Children | Thomas Boteler |
| Parents | Thomas Boteler Alice Beauchamp |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | House of Lancaster |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | Hundred Years' War (1415-1453)
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Ralph Boteler (born around 1394, died 1473) was an important English noble. He served two kings, King Henry V and King Henry VI. Ralph became the Lord High Treasurer of England, which was like being in charge of the country's money.
He fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was made the Captain of Calais, an important port city. Ralph is also known for rebuilding two famous places: the Manor of the More and Sudeley Castle. Sudeley Castle later became the home and resting place of Queen Katherine Parr.
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Ralph Boteler's Family Life
Ralph Boteler was the youngest son of Thomas Boteler. His mother was Alice Beauchamp. They lived at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, England.
His Marriages
Ralph Boteler was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth, who was a wealthy widow. They married around 1418. Elizabeth passed away in 1462.
The next year, in 1463, he married Alice. Alice was also a widow and came from a noble family. She died in 1474, after Ralph.
Becoming a Baron
The Boteler family became nobles because Ralph's grandfather, William le Boteler, married a wealthy heiress named Joan de Sudeley. This marriage meant that Ralph's father inherited the title of Lord of Sudeley.
The title of Baron Sudeley was officially given to Ralph's father. Ralph's older brothers, John and William, held the title before him. Both died without children, so the title eventually passed to Ralph.
Early Military Service
Ralph Boteler likely served with King Henry V in France. He received land there between 1420 and 1421. He was a captain in French towns like Arques and Crotoy in 1423. In 1425, he was in charge of soldiers in Calais.
Important Roles and Castles
King Henry VI made Ralph Boteler a baron, officially giving him the title of Baron Sudeley. Ralph inherited Sudeley Castle, which he rebuilt in 1442. He used money he earned from fighting in the Hundred Years' War for this project.
Ralph did not get royal permission to add battlements to his castle, which was a special right. He had to ask King Henry for forgiveness. Later, in 1469, he lost Sudeley Castle. King Edward IV took it from him because Ralph supported the Lancastrian side during the Wars of the Roses.
Lord High Treasurer
From 1443 to 1446, Ralph served as the Lord High Treasurer of England. This was a very important job, as he managed the country's money. His time as Treasurer was during a difficult economic period in England.
His Legacy
Ralph Boteler did not have any surviving sons from his marriages. His son, Thomas, died before him and also had no sons. This meant that the direct line of the Boteler family holding the Barony of Sudeley ended with Ralph.
