Robert Hales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Robert Hales
The murder of Archbishop Simon Sudbury and Hales at the Tower of London
Born	c. 1325 High Halden, Kent, England
Died	14 June 1381(1381-06-14) (aged 55–56) Tower Hill, London, England
Service years	1372–1377
Rank	Admiral of the West

Sir Robert Hales (born around 1325 – died June 14, 1381) was an important figure in England during the 1300s. He was the leader of the Knights Hospitaller in England, a group of knights who helped sick people and fought in wars. He also held two very important government jobs: Lord High Treasurer and Admiral of the West. Sadly, he was killed during a big uprising called the Peasants' Revolt.

Sir Robert Hales's Important Roles

Sir Robert Hales held several powerful positions in England. These roles gave him a lot of responsibility. Let's explore what each of these jobs meant.

Leader of the Knights Hospitaller

In 1372, Robert Hales became the Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitaller in England. The Knights Hospitaller were a special group of knights. They started during the Crusades, which were religious wars. Their main job was to protect pilgrims and care for sick people. They had hospitals and forts in many places. As Grand Prior, Hales was the top leader for this group in England.

England's Chief Money Manager

King Richard II chose Sir Robert Hales to be the Lord High Treasurer. This was a very important job. The Lord High Treasurer was in charge of all the government's money. This meant Hales had to collect taxes from people. One of these taxes was the poll tax. This tax made everyone pay the same amount of money, no matter how rich or poor they were. Many people hated this tax because it was unfair to poorer families.

Commander of the Western Navy

From November 1376 to November 1377, Sir Robert Hales was also the Admiral of the West. An admiral is a high-ranking naval officer. In this role, Hales was responsible for the ships and sailors protecting England's western coast. He made sure the navy was strong and safe from enemies.

The Peasants' Revolt and Sir Robert's Death

The Peasants' Revolt was a major uprising in England. Many common people were angry about high taxes, especially the poll tax. They were also upset about their living conditions. Sir Robert Hales, as the Lord High Treasurer, was seen as a symbol of these unfair taxes.

On June 14, 1381, the rebels marched to London. They captured the Tower of London. Sir Robert Hales was there, along with other important officials. The rebels found him and tragically killed him on Tower Hill. This event showed how much the people disliked the government's policies at the time.

Sir Robert's Legacy

Even though he was killed by the rebels, Sir Robert Hales was remembered by some. A writer named Thomas Walsingham described him as a "Magnanimous knight." This means he was seen as a brave and generous person, even if the common people didn't like him because of his role in collecting taxes. After his death, his brother, Sir Nicholas de Hales, inherited his family's lands and wealth.

Family Background

Sir Robert Hales was the son of Nicholas Hales. His brother, Sir Nicholas de Hales, continued the family name. The Hales family owned estates in Kent, a county in England.