William Aton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Aton
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| Baron Aton | |
Alleged arms of Baron Aton
Barry of six or and azure, on a canton gules, a cross flory argent |
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| Successor | None |
| Born | about 1299 |
| Died | before March 1389 |
| Spouse(s) | Isabel Percy |
| Issue | William Anastasia Elizabeth Catherine |
| Father | Sir Gilbert Aton |
Sir William Aton (who passed away before March 1389) was an important English person from West Ayton in Yorkshire. He was a landowner, a soldier, and someone who helped manage the country. Sometimes people called him Baron Aton because he was asked to join the Parliament in 1371. Parliament is like a big meeting where important decisions for the country are made. William Aton's son passed away before him and didn't have any children, so any special family title he might have had did not continue.
Who Was William Aton?
William Aton was born around 1299. He was the son of Sir Gilbert Aton. William followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an important figure in his time.
His Life and Work
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Around 1320, when William was about 21 years old, he became a knight. A knight was a brave soldier who served the king. It's thought that he fought in the wars of King Edward III in France.
In 1359, William was asked to join the King's Council. This was a group of trusted advisors who helped the King make decisions. Later, in 1370, he was also called to a meeting of Parliament. Some people thought this meant he had a special family title called a "hereditary barony," which would pass down to his children. However, there is no record of him going to more Parliament meetings, and he kept calling himself "Sir William Aton, knight."
William also served as the High Sheriff of Yorkshire from 1368 to 1370, and again from 1372 to 1373. A High Sheriff was a very important official who helped keep law and order in a county.
In 1377, when he was about 78 years old, William was given a special permission. He didn't have to be a sheriff, a justice of the peace (someone who helps with local laws), or a mayor ever again. This meant he could retire from these busy jobs.
In 1386, when he was 87, William was a witness in a famous court case called Scrope v Grosvenor. He stated that he had been a knight for 66 years. He passed away before March 1389.
His Family
Before 1327, William Aton married Isabel Percy. She was the daughter of Henry de Percy, 2nd Baron Percy. William and Isabel had four children:
- Sir William Aton: He married a woman named Margaret. Sadly, he passed away before his father in 1384 and did not have any children.
- Anastasia Aton: She married Sir Edward St John.
- Catherine Aton: She married Sir Ralph Euer before November 1381.
- Elizabeth Aton: She married two times. First, she married Sir William Place. Later, she married Sir John Conyers.
