RAVES, William

More may be added to the earlier biography. The Commons 1386-1421, iv. 177.

Although his trade as a barber was a modest one, Raves’s five elections to Parliament leave no doubt that he was an important figure in his home town. Significantly, he was one of the 16 Leominster men, who, in 1434, were considered of sufficient substance to be required to take the oath not to maintain peace-breakers. CPR, 1429-36, p. 377. His appearances as a litigant in the court of common pleas suggest commercial interests of substance. In Michaelmas term 1423, for example, he came personally into that court to sue the widow of a Bristol merchant, Robert Dudbroke†, for a debt of £12, and ten years later he had actions pending for debts totaling over £40. Three of the defendants in these actions were local dyers, and it may be that Raves was involved in the cloth trade. CP40/651, rot. 25d; 688, rots. 221, 251d, 380d. In 1428 he was churchwarden of the priory church of Leominster when some significant works were undertaken, partly at his expense: the roof and windows of the vestiary and chancel were rebuilt and the chapel of St. Michael was repaired. Herefs. RO, Leominster priory cart. M31/9, f. 120.