William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Latimer
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| Personal details | |
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William Latimer
24 March 1330 Scampston, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 28 May 1381 |
| Resting place | Guisborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
William Latimer, the 4th Baron Latimer (born March 24, 1330 – died May 28, 1381), was an important English noble. He was also a brave soldier and a clever diplomat. He served King Edward III of England. Lord Latimer is famous for being the first person in the English Parliament to be "impeached." This means he was formally accused of wrongdoing by the Parliament. It happened during a special meeting called the Good Parliament in 1376.
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Early Life and Military Service
William Latimer was born on March 24, 1330. His birthplace was Scampston in Yorkshire, England. His father was William Latimer, the 3rd Baron Latimer. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of John de Botetourt. By 1353, William Latimer married Elizabeth FitzAlan. She was the daughter of the Earl of Arundel. They had one daughter named Elizabeth, born in 1357.
Joining the Army and Fighting in France
William Latimer became a knight by 1351. This meant he was a trained warrior serving the king. He fought in the famous Battle of Crécy in 1346. This was a big battle during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
In 1356, he was present when Edward Balliol gave up his claim to the Scottish throne. Latimer also served in Gascony, a region in France, in 1359.
Becoming a Knight of the Garter
In 1361, William Latimer received a special honor. He became a Knight of the Garter. This is a very old and important order of knights in England. It is still around today. He fought in the Battle of Auray in 1364. This battle was in Brittany, France. Later, he was put in charge of important castles in France. These included Bécherel in 1368 and Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte in 1370.
Return to England and Political Challenges
After his time in France, William Latimer returned to England. He held important jobs in the king's household. From 1368 to 1370, he was the Steward of the Household. This meant he managed the king's home and staff. From 1371, he was the Chamberlain of the Household. His son-in-law, John Neville, also held a high position. They were both close to John of Gaunt, who was the king's son.
Important Roles and Negotiations
Latimer became the Constable of Dover Castle in 1373. This was a very important castle for defending England. He also became the Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1374. This role involved protecting important coastal towns. He helped with talks between England and other countries. These included negotiations with Portugal in 1373 and France in 1375.
The Good Parliament and Impeachment
In April 1376, a special meeting of Parliament was called. It is known as the Good Parliament. The members of Parliament wanted to remove officials they thought were corrupt. William Latimer was one of the people accused. Other people accused included John Neville and Richard Lyons.
The Parliament accused Latimer of several things. They said he had misused his power in Brittany. They also claimed he sold a castle to the enemy. He was also accused of taking bribes and keeping money that belonged to the king. After a trial, the Parliament found him guilty. He lost his jobs in the royal household and was fined. He was also put in prison for a short time.
William Latimer's case is very important. It was the first time in English history that Parliament formally "impeached" someone. This means they officially accused a high-ranking official of wrongdoing. Even though he was found guilty, he was pardoned in October 1376. He soon returned to favor with John of Gaunt.
Later Life and Legacy
After his impeachment, William Latimer continued to serve England. When King Edward III died in June 1377, Latimer was named an executor of the king's will. This meant he helped carry out the king's final wishes.
In 1377, he became the governor of Calais. This was an important English town in France. He also took part in a naval battle against the French at Sluys. In 1380, he joined Thomas of Woodstock on a military trip through France.
William Latimer passed away on May 28, 1381. He was buried at Gisborough Priory in Yorkshire. He was survived by his wife and his daughter, Elizabeth. His daughter Elizabeth had children, so his family line continued.
