Sir William Haute

Sir William Haute, born in 1390 in Waddenhall, Kent, was the eldest son of Sir Nicholas Haute and Alice Couen or Cawne. Following his mother’s death in 1400, he became her heir. His father later remarried Eleanor Flambard, making William stepbrother to Sir John Tyrrell. In 1415, William joined the retinue of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and fought at the Battle of Agincourt. By 1417, he had succeeded his late father. William served as Member of Parliament for Kent in 1419 and Sheriff of Kent in 1420-21. He held multiple commissions and was a trusted figure in the Wydeville family, despite some political differences. William’s life included military service, parliamentary representation, and various legal and civic duties.

He married twice, first to Margaret Berwyk and then to Joan Wydeville, with whom he had four sons and five daughters. William was involved in legal disputes and received a pardon in connection with Jack Cade’s cause. His later years saw a decline in his legal affairs, but he remained active in his duties until his death in September 1462. He left behind a large collection of religious relics and a will mentioning his children.