William Gage (15th-century landowner) facts for kids

William Gage (born around 1447, died in 1496 or 1497) was an important landowner in England. He owned a lot of land and was the father of Sir John Gage, who became a famous person in the Tudor court.

William Gage's Early Life

William Gage was the older son of Sir John Gage and Eleanor St Clere. He was born around the year 1447. We know this from old records, even though they give slightly different dates.

Marriage and Family

In 1472, William Gage married Agnes Bolney. Agnes was the daughter of Bartholomew Bolney, who was also a lord of a manor in Sussex. When they got married, they made an agreement. This agreement said that Agnes would get to use certain properties, like the manor of Heighton St Clere, during her lifetime.

William and Agnes had two children:

• Sir John Gage – He later became a very important person in the court of King Henry VIII.
• Margaret Gage – She married a man named John Mills. Her father mentioned her in his will.

Land and a Royal Pardon

William Gage owned many properties. One of these was Hedgecourt Manor. Historians have studied how William and his family managed this land.

In 1483, there was a short rebellion against King Richard III. This was called "Buckingham's rebellion." William Gage was part of this uprising. However, King Richard III later forgave William and many other rebels. This official forgiveness is called a pardon. William received his pardon in December 1483.

After William died, special investigations were held. These investigations, called "inquisitions post mortem," helped figure out all the land he owned.

Here are some of the places where William Gage owned land:

• In Sussex: The Manors of Heighton St Clere and Tarring St Clere. He also owned land in East Grinstead and Worth.
• In Surrey: The Manors of Burstow, Hedgecourt and Marden. He also owned land in Tandridge, Wolkested (now Godstone), and Horne.
• In Kent: The Manor of Wodelond, which was in the parish of West Kingsdown.
• In Buckinghamshire: The Manor of Aston Chiverley in the parish of Aston Clinton.

Death and What He Left Behind

William Gage wrote his will just two days before he died on February 16, 1496 or 1497. His will was officially approved in October 1497.

William asked to be buried in the Church of the Greyfriars in London. He wanted to be buried next to the tomb of William Chambleyn. He also left money to several churches, including St Michael's church in Burstow and Greyfriars church. He gave the rest of his belongings to his wife, Agnes.

In his will, William said that Agnes should take care of their son John while John was still young. However, in 1499, a London official named Robert Tate took over John's care. This meant Tate also controlled John's lands until John became an adult.

Agnes, William's wife, died four years after him, on July 5, 1501.