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Ralph Boteler, 1st Baron Sudeley facts for kids

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Ralph Boteler
1st & 6th Baron Sudeley
Coat of Arms of Sir Ralph Boteler, 1st Baron Sudeley, KG.png
Arms of Sir Ralph Boteler
Lord High Treasurer
In office
7 July 1443 – 18 December 1446
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
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
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
  • Captain of Arques & Crotoy (1423)
  • Captain of Calais (1425)
Battles/wars Hundred Years' War (1415-1453)

Wars of the Roses

  • First Battle of St. Albans

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.

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.

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