HAUTE, William

More may be added to the earlier biography.2 The Commons 1386-1421, iii. 324-7.

Haute was a companion-in-arms of Richard Wydeville in the Calais garrison at the time of his second marriage, to the lieutenant’s daughter. In June 1433 he rode to Rochester to attest Wydeville’s election as knight of the shire and when the latter returned to Calais as lieutenant early in 1435 he accompanied him. In February of that year he travelled with Wydeville to the Low Countries as part of an English embassy to discuss trade matters with Philip, duke of Burgundy, and the Four Members of Flanders (although he was not himself commissioned to treat with the Flemings). The following year when Duke Philip laid siege to Calais Haute served in the relief army led by his earlier patron, Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, albeit as a member of the earl of Suffolk’s retinue, alongside his father-in-law. The two men received wages for 30 archers under their command.3 C219/14/4; DKR, xlviii. 304; E403/723, m. 13.

Haute’s marriage also involved him in the tangled affairs of Sir John Passhele, who had married Wydeville’s other daughter, Elizabeth. On 26 July 1429, shortly after Haute became his brother-in-law, Passhele enfeoffed him, Wydeville, Thomas Bodulgate* (the lawyer) and Edward Clayson, chaplain, with his property in Sussex, Kent and Oxfordshire. However, after Sir John’s death nearly 25 years later, his son and heir, John Passhele*, complained to the chancellor that they had failed to complete the entails to which they had agreed. With Wydeville now dead, it was left to Haute to settle the matter. In May 1454, on being examined by the prior of Christ Church, Canterbury and John Mulling*, mayor of Canterbury, he declared that Sir John had never asked the surviving feoffees to deliver seisin, a claim confirmed by Bodulgate and Clayson when they appeared personally in Chancery later in the year. Together, on 20 Oct. Haute and the others surrendered their interests in the properties to Passhele in a deed made at the latter’s manor of Evegate in Smeeth, Kent, suggesting that Haute had played an important role in helping his wife’s nephew succeed to his inheritance.4 Centre for Kentish Studies, Maidstone, Scott mss, U1115/T19/1, 2; C1/24/6-8.

The earlier biography misinterpreted Haute’s actions at the time of Cade’s rebellion in the summer of 1450. The fact that he obtained a royal pardon on 7 July, at the height of the revolt, should not be taken to mean that he himself had joined the rebels, rather that, like many others, he thought it wise to obtain protection against possible prosecution by his opponents. Clearly he was no insurgent; he continued to take his place on commissions in Kent, most notably those appointed on 8 Aug. for the assessment of the tax on incomes granted in the last Parliament,5 CFR, xviii. 174. and in the following March for the delivery of the gaol of Canterbury castle.