Thomas Holte facts for kids
,_1st_Bt_of_Aston_Hall_-_1885P3184_-_Birmingham_Museums_Trust.jpg)
Sir Thomas Holte, 1st Baronet (born around 1571, died December 14, 1654) was an important English landowner. He is famous for building the grand Aston Hall in Aston, Warwickshire. Today, a part of the Villa Park stadium, home to the Aston Villa Football Club, is named "Holte End" after him. This area was once part of the Aston Hall gardens. There is also a Holte School and Holte Road nearby.
About Sir Thomas Holte
Thomas Holte was born to Edward Holte and Dorothy Ferrars. His family was very rich and owned a lot of land in Warwickshire. They had owned land for hundreds of years. They gained even more land during the English Reformation, when monasteries were closed.
The Holte family held important roles in the county. They served as High Sheriff of Warwickshire, Justices of the Peace, and Deputy Lieutenants. They also had powerful friends and family in the local area and in London. Thomas was only 21 when his father died. As the oldest son, he worked hard to make his family even more successful.
In 1599, Thomas Holte became the High Sheriff of Warwickshire himself. In 1603, King James I gave him a knighthood. This happened as the King traveled from Scotland to London to become king.
In 1612, Sir Thomas bought a new title: baronet. King James I sold these new titles to raise money. Being a baronet meant Sir Thomas was now more important than other local families. He felt he needed a grander home to show his wealth and status. This led him to build Aston Hall. He started building in 1618 and moved in by 1631.
On October 18, 1642, King Charles I stayed at Aston Hall. He was on his way to London. A few days later, the Battle of Edgehill was fought nearby. In December 1643, during the English Civil War, Sir Thomas asked for soldiers to protect Aston Hall. Forty soldiers were sent from Dudley Castle. Soon after, they had to defend the hall against a large force of 1200 enemy soldiers.
Family Life
Sir Thomas Holte was married two times.
- His first wife was Grace Bradbourne (who died in 1627). They had fifteen children, but most of them died young. His children who lived longer included:
- George Holte (died 1641), his oldest son. He died before his father.
- Edward Holte (died 1643), his second son. He also died before his father. Edward worked for King Charles I in London. There, he married Elizabeth King, the daughter of John King, who was the Bishop of London. Sir Thomas did not approve of this marriage. Edward was cut off from his family's inheritance. Even the King asked Sir Thomas to forgive his son, but he never did. After his older brother George died, Edward was Sir Thomas's only living son. Edward died while serving in the military in 1643. He never returned to his family.
- Grace Holte (died 1677). She married Sir Richard Shuckburgh first. They had seven children, including their oldest son Sir John Shuckburgh, 1st Baronet. Later, she married Sir John Keating, a judge in Ireland. She died in Dublin in 1677.
- Elizabeth Holte (died 1647). She never married. Her father built a special monument for her in St Cassian's Church in Chaddesley Corbett.
- His second wife was Anne Littleton. She was the youngest daughter of Sir Edward Littleton, 1st Baronet. Sir Thomas wanted another son with Anne. This was so Edward could be completely removed from the family's inheritance. Anne Littleton did have a son, but he also died when he was young. This was similar to nine of the children from Sir Thomas's first marriage. Anne Littleton lived longer than Sir Thomas. She later married Charles Leigh.
Later Years and Death
In his final days, Sir Thomas was convinced to leave Aston Hall and all his lands to his grandson, Robert Holte. Robert was Edward's son. Robert then inherited the baronetcy. Sir Thomas was buried in Aston Church. Only his wife Anne Littleton and his daughter Grace were still alive when he passed away.
