Full Latin Transcription and English Translation

 

Document: Royal Pardon Roll (Patent Roll 7 Henry VIII, Part 1), 3 May 1515

Subject: John Hochekyse (aka Hoggekyse / Hotchekyse)

Source: The National Archives, C 66 Series (Scroll Image Provided)

 

LATIN TRANSCRIPTION

 

Rex gratis propria pro Deo quia pauper ac per mandatum Domini Cancellarii ac auctoritate Curiæ Cancellariæ.

 

Rex omnibus ad quos presentes litterae pervenerint salutem. Sciatis quod nos, de gratia nostra speciali, ac ex certa scientia et mero motu nostro, perdonavimus, remisimus et relaxavimus Johanni Hochekyse, nunc de Knoll, Warw., de Bewdley, Salop, de Derby, Westchester, Chester, seu de London, saddler, alias dicto Johanni Hochekyse nunc de Bewdley in comitatu Salop, yeoman, alias dicto Johanni Hoggekyse nunc de Knoll in comitatu Warw., yeoman, alias dicto Johanni Hotchekyse nunc de Bewdley in dicto comitatu Salop, yeoman, alias dicto Johanni Hochekyse nunc de London, yeoman, cognito per nos seu sub aliquo alio nomine vel cognomine, eidem Johanni concessimus omnimodas et omnes transgressiones, felonias, burglarias, negligentias, escapes, murdras et accessoria felonum, burglarum et assassinatorum, et alia maleficia quae per ipsum Johannem ante datam praesentium qualitercumque perpetrata fuerint.

Et insuper perdonavimus eidem Johanni omnes et omnimodas transgressiones, felonias, burglarias, negligentias, escapes, murdras, et alia maleficia per ipsum Johannem ante datam praesentium perpetrata, sive per presentmentum, inquisicionem, informationem, indicamentum, vel alias quovismodo contra ipsum Johannem existant seu existant futura. Et non obstante aliqua indictamento vel processu contra ipsum Johannem in aliquo curia regis. Et etiam relaxavimus ei omnia et omnimoda debita, amerciamenta, forisfacturas, recogniciones et penas nobis debita ante datam praesentium.

In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium, tertio die Maii anno regni nostri septimo.

 

MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATION

 

The King, of his own grace, for God because [he is] poor, and by the command of the Lord Chancellor and the authority of the Court of Chancery.

The King to all to whom these present letters shall come, greeting. Know that we, of our special grace, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion, have pardoned, remitted, and released to John Hochekyse, now of Knoll, Warwickshire, of Bewdley, Shropshire, of Derby, of Chester, or of London, saddler, otherwise called John Hochekyse now of Bewdley in the county of Shropshire, yeoman, otherwise called John Hoggekyse now of Knoll in the county of Warwickshire, yeoman, otherwise called John Hotchekyse now of Bewdley in the said county of Shropshire, yeoman, otherwise called John Hochekyse now of London, yeoman, known to us or under any other name or surname — we have granted to the same John full and complete pardon of all transgressions, felonies, burglaries, negligence, escapes, murders, and accessories to felons, burglars and assassins, and all other misdeeds that by the said John before the date of these presents were in any way committed.

And moreover we have pardoned to the said John all and every such transgressions, felonies, burglaries, negligence, escapes, murders, and other offenses committed before the date of these presents, whether by presentment, inquisition, information, indictment, or in any other way proceeding against the said John, whether existing or to exist in the future. And notwithstanding any indictment or legal proceeding against the said John in any of our courts. And we also release to him all debts, fines, forfeitures, recognizances, and penalties due to us before the date of these presents.

In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster, the third day of May in the seventh year of our reign.

 

Note: The extensive use of aliases and location variations strongly supports the identification of this John as Sir John Hotchkiss, formerly knighted under Richard III, fallen into hardship after Bosworth, and seeking legal clearance for himself and his heirs. The spelling Hoggekyse used here reinforces its acceptance as a legitimate family variant.

 

Working Theory:

This royal pardon may have been requested posthumously on behalf of Sir John Hotchkiss by his son Thomas, either directly or with the aid of a regional noble or patron — possibly the Earl of Shrewsbury or another overlord in Shropshire or the Church. The broad aliases and lack of specified charges suggest a general pardon to remove legal disabilities resulting from political reversals under the Tudors..

Summary for Sir John Hotchkiss (~1426–1502)

- Identity:
Eldest son of William Hotchkiss (b. 1405). Educated at Eton College (appearing in the 1447 and 1451 registers as “Hodgkins”), knighted by Richard III in 1484. Originally a goldsmith, he later held the family estates at Castle Pulverbatch and Hawkeswood. Father of Thomas Hotchkiss, named heir in a 1506 deed issued by John’s widow, Margaret.
- Later Life:
Following the fall of Richard III at Bosworth in 1485, Sir John fell into poverty. By 1515, under Henry VIII, he was granted a royal pardon “pro Deo quia pauper” (“for God, because he was poor”), described as “John Hochekyse of Knoll, Warwickshire, Bewdley, Derby, Chester, or London, saddler” — suggesting both financial hardship and relocation in his final years.
>- Clerical Turn:
Based on timing, name variation, and the absence of other plausible candidates, he is likely the same individual as John Hodgesson, Rector of St. Mary, Carleton Forehoe, Norfolk, who died in 1502. This would indicate a late-life transition to the Church — a not-uncommon path for educated gentry seeking refuge or reinvention. His academic background and social class would have made him well-suited to an ecclesiastical role.
- Royal Pardon:
Received 3 May 1515 after death, likely for siding with Richard III..