William Calthorpe facts for kids
Sir William Calthorpe (born January 30, 1410 – died November 15, 1494) was an important English knight. He was known as a Knight of the Bath, a special honor given by the King. He also owned large estates, called manors, in places like Burnham Thorpe and Ludham in Norfolk. Sir William served as the High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk several times, which was a key role in local government, like a chief law enforcement officer for the area.
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Early Life and Family
Sir William Calthorpe was born on January 30, 1410, in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, England. His parents were Sir John Calthorpe and Amy (Amice) Wythe.
Sir William's Career
Sir William Calthorpe had an active career in his time.
- In 1443, he showed kindness by freeing one of his "villeins." A villein was like a worker tied to the land, and freeing them from "serfdom" meant they were no longer forced to work for him.
- He worked as a special representative for the Duke of Norfolk, helping manage his affairs when the Duke's son was still too young.
- Sir William owned several important manors, including Ludham and Burnham Thorpe.
- In 1479, he was the Steward of the Duke of Norfolk's household, which meant he managed the Duke's home and staff.
Knight of the Bath
A big moment in Sir William's life was when he became a Knight of the Bath. King Edward IV honored him with this title at the Tower of London. This happened on May 26, 1465, during the coronation of the King's wife, Queen Elizabeth Woodville.
Life in Norwich
The Calthorpe family had a home in Norwich, in the parish of St Martin at Palace. Sir William lived there in 1492 and possibly much earlier. Records show that in 1447, his family bought an old estate in this area.
Marriages and Children
Sir William Calthorpe was married twice and had several children.
First Marriage
His first wife was Elizabeth, who lived from 1406 to 1437. She was the daughter of Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn. With Elizabeth, Sir William had one son and two daughters.
Second Marriage
His second wife was also named Elizabeth. She was born around 1441 and passed away on February 18, 1505. She was the eldest daughter of Sir Miles Stapleton. Through this marriage, Sir William gained control of the manor of Hempstead in Norfolk.
Sir William and his second wife had more children:
- One of their daughters, Anne, married Sir Robert Drury.
- Another daughter, Elizabeth Calthorpe, married Francis Hasilden in 1494. Their daughter, Frances Hasilden, later married Sir Robert Peyton in 1516. This family line became ancestors of the Peyton baronets.
His Will and Passing
Sir William Calthorpe passed away on November 15, 1494. In his will, he mentioned that many of his ancestors were buried in North Creake Church in Norfolk. He was buried in the Church of the White Friars in Norwich, next to his first wife. His will is a valuable historical document that tells us about his family and the customs of that time.
Images for kids
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This brass in All Saints Church, Burnham Thorpe, is for an earlier Sir William Calthorpe who died in 1420, an ancestor of the Sir William Calthorpe this article is about.
