William Hawte facts for kids

Sir William Hawte (also spelled Haute or Haut) lived from about 1430 to 1497. He was an important member of a noble family from Kent, England. His family had served the royal family for a long time. Through his close connections to the Woodville family, he became deeply involved in the final parts of the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of wars fought over who should be king of England.

Some people believe he was also a composer of religious music. This composer was active around 1460 to 1470. His music can be found in old songbooks like the Pepys Manuscript and the Ritson Manuscript.

Family Connections

The composer William Hawte is thought to be the son of William Haute of Bishopsbourne, Kent. His mother was Joan Wydeville, who married his father around 1429. Joan's father was Richard Wydeville.

This means Sir William was the nephew of the 1st Earl Rivers. He was also a first cousin to Elizabeth Woodville, who became Queen when she married King Edward IV. These family ties were very important in his life.

Early Life and Marriage

William likely grew up in Bishopsbourne. He had an older half-sibling and three younger brothers and several sisters. One of his sisters, Alice, married Sir John Fogge by 1462.

William himself was married before 1462 to Joan Horne. Her father was Henry Horne. William and Joan had a son, also named William. His father's will, written in 1462, mentions William and his son. This will mostly talked about household items and belongings. William inherited some interesting religious items from his father.

Serving the King

Both William and his father were asked to help gather soldiers in 1459 and 1460. This was to fight against the followers of Richard Earl of Warwick.

William junior started working for Edward IV in 1461. He was given the job of Keeper of the King's Warren near Sandwich for life. Soon after, he was told to set up beacons along the Kent coast. These beacons would warn people if the king's enemies were coming.

He became a knight on May 26, 1465, at the queen's coronation. He rode in front of the queen's carriage in the procession. In 1466–1467, he became High Sheriff of Kent for the first time. His father, grandfather, and great-uncle had all held this important job before him. He also gained the freedom of Canterbury city in 1467.

Sir William and Richard Hawte

In 1470, William's cousin, Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers, chose William to manage his lands in Kent. William's sister Anne was supposed to marry Sir John Paston in the late 1460s and early 1470s, but the marriage did not happen.

William's brother Richard also inherited some lands from their father. In 1480, the family lands were officially divided among the brothers. Sir William received the old family estates of Bourne, Ford, Wadenhall, Otterpool, Blackmanstone, and Elmsted. Richard received Hastingleigh, Alderlose, and Ightham Mote. Their brother Edward got the manor of Crofton and other lands.

During this time, Sir William was a very important person among the gentry of Kent. He was a justice of the peace for Kent in many years between 1461 and 1475. He also helped judge alleged traitors and worked against smugglers. He often worked with other important knights like Sir John Fogge and Sir John Scott. He helped gather soldiers and prepare for battles.

In 1475–1476, he served his second term as Sheriff of Kent. In 1478, the king gave him a yearly payment of 20 marks. He was also asked to investigate the castles and lands of the Duke of Clarence.

Towards Trouble

Queen Elizabeth had appointed Richard Haute to teach her son, Edward the Prince of Wales, in 1472. This job took him to Ludlow Castle. He became the manager of the prince's household. It is not clear if this Richard was Sir William's brother or a younger cousin.

Being so close to the Wydeville family brought the Hautes into conflict with the Duke of Gloucester.

In 1480, Sir William gave his family lands in Canterbury to trustees. This was for his will, but the will itself is now lost. Richard Haute of Ightham was Sheriff of Kent again in 1481–82. Sir William Haute took over as Sheriff right after him in 1482.

A story says that "Sir" Richard Haute was with Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers, and others when they were bringing Prince Edward to London. They were stopped by the Duke of Gloucester and arrested. The story claims Haute was later beheaded. However, historical records show that both Richard Hautes and Sir William survived the reign of Richard III.

When Richard III became king on June 22, 1483, Sir William Haute was immediately removed from his job as Sheriff of Kent. In Buckingham's rebellion in October 1483, Sir William was named as a leader of the rebels. He was declared an outlaw. However, his name does not appear in the official list of traitors in January 1484. Instead, "Richard Haute, late of Ightham, squyer" is named. This was Sir William's brother Richard. His lands were taken and given to his brother James, who had not rebelled.

Last Years

After the Battle of Bosworth Field, when King Henry VII took the throne, Richard Haute of Ightham had his lands given back to him. Richard of Ightham died in 1487. His son and heir was Edward Haute, who was 11 years old.

Sir William continued his public service. He worked as a justice of the peace for Kent and helped with court cases in Canterbury from 1485 to 1493. In 1496, Sir William was asked to help gather soldiers from Kent. These soldiers were needed to defend Berwick from attacks by the Scots.

Sir William Hawte of Bishopsbourne died on July 2, 1497. Records show he owned several manors, including Wadenhall, Bishopsbourne, and Elmsted. His older son, William, had died before him. So, his next son, Thomas Haute, who was 33 years old, became his heir.

In 1512, Sir William's sister, Dame Alice Fogg, set aside money from her lands. This money was to pay for a special church service each year to pray for her husband, herself, William Hawte and his wife Joan, and all their family and friends.

Literary Interests

This family had an interest in books and literature. They owned an early copy of the Prose Merlin, which is a story about King Arthur. It is also noted that a special copy of a book by Christine de Pizan has the Hawte family crest on it. Another book of French stories from the British Library, including tales about the Holy Grail and King Arthur's death, belonged to Sir Richard Roos. He left it to his niece, Eleanor Haute, who was the first wife of Sir Richard Haute. Later, it was given to Queen Elizabeth Wydeville.

Other interesting books belonged to John Goodere the elder, whose grandson married William Hawte's granddaughter. These included printed copies of Dives et Pauper and Knight of the Tower. He also had a parchment copy of Canterbury Tales, an old book of English chronicles, a book by Bonaventure, and a book about the "secrets of women."

Children

Sir William and Dame Joan had the following children:

• Alicia Hawte, who married Sir William Crowmer.
• William Hawte, who died before his father.
• Thomas Hawte (born around 1464, died November 28, 1502). He married Elizabeth (Isabella), who was the sister of a famous judge, Sir Thomas Frowyk. Thomas became a Knight of the Bath in 1501. Thomas and Isabella had two sons (William and Herry) and five daughters (Jane, Margery, Agnes, Elizabeth, and Alice).
  • Their son, Sir William Hawte of Bishopsbourne (born around 1489, died 1539), married Mary Guildford. They had a daughter named Jane Haute, who married Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger. William later married Margaret Wood.
  • Their daughter Joan Hawte married (1) Thomas Goodere. They have special brass memorials in a church. Their children included Francis Goodere. Joan Hawte married (2) Robert Wroth. They were the parents of Sir Thomas Wroth.

The following children likely died when they were young:

• John Haute
• Robert Haute
• James Haute
• Richard Haute
• Joan Haute
• Cecily Haute