Robert Wodehouse facts for kids

Robert Wodehouse (died 1346) was an important English official who worked for the king during the Middle Ages. He had a long career, helping to manage the country's money and government.

He was likely born into a regular family in a place called Norwell Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire. He started his career as a clerk, which is like an assistant, in a government office called the privy seal. This was the beginning of a forty-year career where he held many different important jobs.

Who Was Robert Wodehouse?

Robert Wodehouse was a skilled administrator who served the English crown for many years. He held various financial and administrative roles, helping to keep the government running smoothly during a busy time in history.

Early Career and Key Roles

Robert Wodehouse started his journey in government as a clerk. This was a common way for talented people to begin working for the king. He quickly moved up the ranks, taking on more responsibility.

• Cofferer and Comptroller of the Wardrobe (1309–1318): Imagine the king's "wardrobe" as a big department that managed all the royal household's expenses, from clothes to food and travel. As cofferer, Robert was in charge of the money, and as comptroller, he checked the accounts to make sure everything was correct.
• Baron of the Exchequer (until 1323): After his work in the wardrobe, he became a baron of the exchequer. The Exchequer was like the country's main financial office, dealing with taxes and royal income. A baron of the exchequer was a judge in this important court.
• Keeper of the Privy Seal (briefly): He also briefly held the role of Keeper of the Privy Seal. The Privy Seal was a special seal used to approve important documents from the king. The Keeper was responsible for this seal.
• Keeper of the Wardrobe (1323–1328): He returned to the wardrobe, this time as the Keeper. This was an even higher position, putting him in charge of the entire department and its finances.

Top Government Positions

Robert Wodehouse continued to rise, taking on some of the most powerful financial roles in the kingdom.

• Treasurer (1329-1330): The Treasurer was one of the most important people in the government, in charge of all the king's money and the national treasury. Robert held this role for a year.
• Chancellor of the Exchequer (1330–1331): This role was also about managing the country's money, often working closely with the Treasurer. Robert served as Chancellor for a year.
• Treasurer (again in 1338): He was appointed Treasurer for a second time in 1338, showing that he was trusted with the kingdom's finances.

Why Was He Dismissed?

In December 1338, King Edward III removed Robert Wodehouse from his position as Treasurer. The king felt that Robert's service was not good enough at that time, which brought his long government career to an end.

Life After Government

Even though his government career ended, Robert Wodehouse had been well rewarded for his many years of service. He received several "church benefices," which were positions in the church that provided him with income. In 1328, he was also appointed Archdeacon of Richmond in Yorkshire, a significant role within the church.

Death and Burial

Robert Wodehouse passed away in early 1346, likely in a town called Stamford. He was buried in the choir of the church belonging to the Augustinian friars in Stamford.