John Hotchkiss

Personal and Family Information

John was born about 1426 in Shropshire, England, the son of William Hotchkiss and Elizabeth of Donwich.

He died before 1506 in England.

His wife was Margaret Heynes. They were married, but the date and place have not been found. Their five known children were Thomas (c1460-c1554), Richard (c1462-1557), William (c1475-c1544), Roger (c1480-1534) and Thomasine (c1481-?).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Attributes

Multimedia

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Notes

Note 1

!StyleName: Hotchkiss, Sir John of Castle Pulverbatch and Hawkeswood [~1440 - <1506]

!Note: Summary for Sir John Hotchkiss

- Identity:

Eldest son of William Hotchkiss . Educated at Eton College , 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” , 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.

!Note: Apparent Hawkeswood line.

!Source: Tree of the Family of Hotchkiss of Hoxwood in the County of Salop copied from Heralds College.

Abstracted from the Records in the College of Arms, London, Septermber 29th 1800. C35 fo 59.

Pim Salop, Signed Francis Townsend, Windosor Herald, Francis Martin Blue Mantle.

Later part added by Richard James Hotchkis, son of James Hotchkis 1904, signed Richard Ja Hotchkis

…, Hotchkis of Hoxwood to whom these Arms were given by Richard III ano 1484,…

Note that the arms shown in the tree have the wrong crest with the pellets on the cock’s head instead of its wings, like the Hoskins crest earned by his 2great-grandson. The family was probably very excited about this more recent knighting, but I expect showing the wrong crest caused all manner of problems.

Noes: Chart earlier of the 4 main family branches coming from Sir John:

1. Sir Thomas Organize move south, industialization, like the mines, inns selling what the brewers wer making.

2. Richard of Ash, another knight, sheep farming, skilled trades, transatlantic inovation andbig US companies.

3. Sir Roger, Title retention, breing, local Shropshire coordination

4. William burgess and pannarius of Salop, London cloth guilds, urban merchant class, Hoskins knight, Surrey gentry, trade routes.

!Source: Berkshire, Eton College Register, 1441-1698 https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=GBOR%2FSCH-ETON%2F204%2F1951&tab=this

First name John

County Berkshireff

Last name Hodgkins

Country England

Year 1447

Category Education & work

School name Eton College

Subcategory Schools & Education

Place Eton

Collections from England, Great Britain

!Source: Britain, School And University Students https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=GBOR%2FSCHOOLREG%2FSDE%2F020852&tab=this

First name John

Country England

Last name Hodgkins

Publication title Eton College Register, 1441-1698

Year 1451

Year range 1441-1698

Boarded year 1451

Publication year 1943

Boarded date Jul 1451

Record set Britain, School And University Students

Institution Eton College

Category Education & work

Town Eton

Subcategory Schools & Education

County Berkshire

Collections from Great Britain, England, Scotland

!Source: Boyd's Inhabitants Of London & Family Units 1200-1946 https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=GBOR%2FBIL%2FSOG34%2F0530&parentid=GBPRS%2FBIL%2F00202308

HOPKINS John 1450, 18997

Name John Hopkins

Profession citizen Goldsmith

Children Thomas

2467 Letter Road L75

!Source: Shrewsbury Burgess Roll,

Shropshire archæological and parish register society,

Authors: Shrewsbury [England], Herbert Edward Forrest,

Editor: Herbert Edward Forrest,

Publisher: Printed by W.B. Walker, 1924,

Original from: the University of California,

Digitized Jun 12, 2010, 322 pages

Other early Hotchkiss family.

Hotchkiss.

William, of S., draper, s. John of Pulverbatch 1495 <<<<

William, of S. smith, s. Richard of Ashe, Whitchurch. 1519

Richard, of S., carpenter, s. William of Petton, husbandman. 1559.

Richard, of S., clothworker, s. Thomas, of Abbots Betton, yeoman. 1623.

!Source: http://search.shropshirehistory.org.uk/collections/getrecord/CCA_X6000_44_1_12928/

Grant of land in Castle Pulverbatch.

Identity

Document Reference: 6001/2342/12928

System Reference: X6000/44/1/12928

Details

Level: Item

Date: 25 Mar 1506

Description: "Sciant presentes etc." >>> Margaret Hochekys relic of John Hochekys of Castle Pulverbatch <<<, daughter and heir of Thomas Heynes of Wyldyrley, gives etc. to Thomas Hochekys her son, her lands etc. in Castle Pulverbatch which descended to her on the death of her father. Witnesses:- Thomas Leighton Knight seneschat, Thomas Janyns of Waliburne bailiff, Rowland Janyns of Waliburne, Thomas de le In of Botfeld, William Partriche of Wyldesley. At Castle Pulverbatch, 25 March 21 Henry VII.

X6000: SHREWSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION [DEEDS] [12th - 20th century]

X6000/44: Phillipps manuscripts - purchased at Sotheby's sale 1938

X6000/44/1: Papers relating to Castle Pulverbatch.

X6000/44/1/12928: Grant of land in Castle Pulverbatch. [25 Mar 1506]

!Source: Norfolk Wills & Probate https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=PRS%2FNORFWILLPROB%2F012001&tab=this

First name John

Document type Will

Last name Hodgson Or Hodgesson

Archive reference NCC will register Popy 148

Title Hodgson , John, rector of St Mary, Carleton Fourhoo

View source website View source website

Year 1502

Record set Norfolk Wills & Probate

Date 1502

Category Birth, Marriage & Death

Residence St Mary, Carleton Fourhoo

Subcategory Wills & Probate

County Norfolk

Collections from Great Britain, England

Country England

=========

!Source: British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Vol. 2, pp. 118–133

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol2/pp118-133

Entry: 3 May 1515 — Royal pardon for John Hochekyse.

Latin clause: “Pro Deo quia pauper ac per mandatum Domini Cancellarii ac auctoritate Curiæ Cancellariæ.”

Roll citation: Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p.1, m.7

Note: Possibly issued due to his service under Richard III; pardon granted on grounds of poverty and by Chancery authority.

Document: Royal Pardon Roll , 3 May 1515

Subject: John Hochekyse

Source: The National Archives, C 66 Series

!Source: The National Archives , Kew

Patent Roll: 7 Henry VIII, Part 1

Document reference: C 66/[piece TBD]

Location: The National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Richmond, TW9 4DU, England

Note: Pardon issued to “John Hochekyse of Knoll, Warw., of Bewedeley, Salop, of Derby, Westchester, Cheshire, or of London, saddler.” Personally viewed and photographed the scroll entry on-site.

From original and image of original.

Translation with assistance of ChatGPT.

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. The broad aliases and lack of specified charges suggest a general pardon to remove legal disabilities resulting from political reversals under the Tudors.

-

Locations Mentioned in the Pardon:

Knoll, Warwickshire

Possibly refers to Knowle, Warwickshire

May indicate a retreat or temporary residence after his fall from favor

Consistent with the “John Hochekyse of Knoll… saddler” identity used at the end of his life

Bewdley, Shropshire

Very close to Hawkeswood

Market town and former royal manor — a common legal anchor for countryside estates

Most likely the jurisdictional town for Hawkeswood

Derby

Possibly indicating travel or temporary lodging — could also reflect connections via trade

Derbyshire was a Yorkist stronghold, so it fits with a Ricardian knight’s network

Derbyshire was a stop on Richard III’s July 1483 progress at York where he continued to knight “many men”

Chester / Westchester

Important ecclesiastical and trade hub — may indicate church connections or appeals

"Westchester" is an older Latin-English form for the area

London

Already well documented in his life

Possibly his residence or workshop location prior to exile and impoverishmen

=========

!================================================

!Note: If a Hotchkiss was knighted by Richard III, this would be the person between Jul 1483 and Aug 1485.

!Source: http://scotlandspeople.gov.uk Will of Margaret Hart Hotchkiss, 3 Apr 1875, and updated several times. Widow of James Hotchkiss writer to the Signet. There was a family diamond ring given by Richard the 1st to one of the Family who was "Lord Mair" of London - give to son Richard to go down in straight male line from her son Richard.

Note: As there was only one Lord Mayor during Richard I, this would have been Henry FitzAilwin, who was not Norman, despite the name. However, if she actually menat Richard III, there would have been a bit more choice including Sir Thomas Hill, who’s father appears to be from Hodnet, Shropshire and his mother from Malpas, Cheshire, both of which are near locations which relate to the Hotchkiss family. It should be noted that Lord Mayors are also commonly knighted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England

Richard I [8 September 1157 – 6 April 1199] was King of England from 1189 until his death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lord_mayors_of_London List of lord mayors of London

1189–1212 Henry FitzAilwin [Draper][a] First Mayor of London. Died in his twenty-fourth term.

He was not of Norman decent.

!Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Mayor_of_London

It was once customary for Lord Mayors to be appointed knights upon taking office and baronets upon retirement, unless they already held such a title.

1482 Sir Edmund Shaa Goldsmith

1483 Sir Robert Billesdon Haberdasher[d]

1484 Sir Thomas Hill Grocer Died in office. <<<

1485 Sir William Stoker Draper Died in office.

1485 Sir John Warde Grocer

1485 Sir Hugh Bryce Grocer

1486 Sir Henry Colet Mercer First of two terms.

!Source: https://coadb.com/surnames/hill-arms.html

[Lord Mayor of London, 1484]. Sa. a chev. erm. betw. three lions pass. guard. ar.

https://gw.geneanet.org/belfast8?lang=en&n=hill&oc=0&p=thomas

Thomas HILL

Born in 1460 - Hodnet, Shropshire, England

Deceased in 1506 - England , age at death: 46 years old ???

Parents

Humphrey HILL, born in 1404 - Hodnet, Shropshire, England, Deceased in 1484 - Shropshire, England age at death: 80 years old

Married to

Agnes BIRD, born in 1410 - Malpas, Cheshire, England, Deceased - Shropshire, England

!Source: www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/london-aldermen/hen3-1912/pp159-168

1473. Sir Thomas Hill. He died when Mayor, and his successor in the Mayoralty [Sir W. Stokker] five days later, four other Aldermen [J. Stokker, T. Breteyn, T. Northland and R. Rawson] also dying within the space of a month. [fn. 2] They were victims of an epidemic called the 'Sweating Sickness.'

!Source: projectbritain.com/monarchy/york.html Timeline of the Kings and Queens of England - House of York

Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470,and again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483.

!Source: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=xxxx&rdid=book-YA85AQAAMAAJ&rdot=1

Shropshire Notes and Queries: Volumes 6-8

HOTCHKIS OF HOXWOOD. I shall be glad of any information about this old Shropshire family, whose pedigree was entered at the 1663 Visitation. This pedigree states that their "Arms were given by Richard III. anno. 1484.” These are— Party per pale gules and azure, a chevron engrailed or between three lions rampant argent. In what parish is Hoxwood [qu. Sidbury or Billingsley], and are there any monuments to this family in any and, if so, in what churches? When did the family lose the Hoxwood estates! It is interesting that of all the Hoskins listed baring similar arms, none were that early or shows as the original. Also, toward the end of 1483, there was an occurance where Richard III dubed “many” gentlemen, where the names don’t seem to be listed anywhere.

Note: What I think may be happening is that when the family visited London, those with the London accents pronounced the name Hoskins.

!Source: The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales Comprising a Registry of Armorial Bearings from the Earliest to the Present Time, Sir Bernard Burke, C.B., LL.D, Ulster King of Arms. A Facsimle Reprint Published 1996 by: Heritage Books, Inc., 1540E Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie, Maryland 20716, ISBN 0-7884-0558-6.

Image attached.

!Source: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011987655

Public Domain http://www.hathitrust.org/access_use#pd

The knights of England; a complete record from the earliest time

to the present day of the knights of all the orders of chivalry in

England, Scotland, and Ireland, and of knights bachelors, by Wm.

A. Shaw. Incorporating a complete list of knights bachelors dubbed

in Ireland, compiled by G. D. Burtchaell.

Shaw, William Arthur.

London : Printed and published

Image of part of index attached

———

!List: from the text:

—

1483, Saturday, July 5.

Knights made by Richard III., the day beforehis Coronation.

Robert Dymmoke, the King's champion at the Coronation.

William Hopton.

Robert Persay [Percye].

William Jenney, justice [of the King's Bench].

Gervase Clyfton, sheriff of Notts and Derby.

—

[ ? 1483, July 12.]

Humphrey Starkey, chief baron of the Exchequer

[on Saturday after [ ? the Coronation] in the Tower].

—

1483, Sept. 8.

Knights made at York by Richard 111. on the procession

through the city and the repetition of the Coronation.

Gefferey de Sasiola, ambassador from Spain, in testimony

whereof he gave him letters patent dated at York the

same day.

Richard, of Gloucester, the King's natural son.

vvvv

And many other Northern Gentlemen. <<<<< Notice that this complete record doesn’t list “many” of Richard III’s dubs.

^^^^

—

[ ? 1484, the 13th day of .]

William, lord Crichton of Crichton, a Scottishman, before

dinner.

Thomas Hyll, mayor of London, after dinner.

before Easter, 1485. Robert Bbackenbuey, sheriff of Kent.

[before 1485, August.] Charles Somerset, made knight by Philip,

archduke of Austria [in Flanders.]

—

1485, Aug. 7.

Knights made at the landing of Henry, earl of Richmond

[aftemvards Henry VII.], at Milford Haven.

Edwaed Coljeteney, afterwards earl of Devonshire.

John Welles, afterwards viscount Welles.

Philibeet de Chandee, afterwards earl of Bath.

John Cheney [Cheiny].

RlCHAED GUILDFORD.

Edwaed Ponyinges.

James Blount.

Davy Owen.

Chaeles Someeset.

John Foetesctj, sheriff of Essex and Herts.

John Haliwel [Halwyn].

John Ryseley.

William Beandon.

* Thomas Milborn [Melbouene].

* William Tylee.

John Teeuey [Teetjey].

—

1485, Aug. 25.

Knights made at the Battle of Redmore or Bosworth by

Henry VII

John Talbott.

John [Rogee] Moetemee.

Waltee Hungeefoede.

—

1485, Aug. 25.

Robert Pointz.

Humfrey Stanley.

William Wyloughby.

John Turberville.

Res [Rice] Ap Thomas.

Hugh Persall.

Richard Edgcombe.

!Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_III_of_England

Richard III [2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485] was King of England from 1483 until his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat at Bosworth Field, the last decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses, marked the end of the Middle Ages in England.