Biography of Thomas Wendesley 1344-1403
Around 1344 Thomas Wendesley was born.
In 1382 Thomas Wendesley (age 38) was elected MP Derbyshire.
Around 1383 Thomas Wendesley (age 39) was knighted.
In 1384 Thomas Wendesley (age 40) was elected MP Derbyshire.
In Dec 1384 Thomas Wendesley (age 40) was retained for life by John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 44) in peace and war at an annual fee of 20 marks, charged upon the township of Bensall in Derbyshire [Note. Possibly Bonsall [Map]]. The benefits were certainly not all one-sided, for Wensley was expected to use his own influence as a member of the local bench and crown commissioner on the duke's behalf when the occasion demanded.
In 1386 Thomas Wendesley (age 42) was elected MP Derbyshire.
In Feb 1388 Thomas Wendesley (age 44) was commissioned to arrest persons charged with damaging John of Gaunt's (age 47) property.
In 1390 Thomas Wendesley (age 46) was elected MP Derbyshire.
In 1394 Thomas Wendesley (age 50) was elected MP Derbyshire.
In Aug 1399 Thomas Wendesley (age 55), following the success of Henry IV King England (age 32) received a grant for life of land worth £24 a year in the High Peak, and within the next few months three lucrative stewardships of Macclesfield [Map], the High Peak and Chesterfield [Map] were in his hands.
In Aug 1401 Thomas Wendesley (age 57) was summoned to attend a great council as a representative for Derbyshire, where he continued to serve on various royal commissions. At least one local figure was, even so, prepared to risk his displeasure, and in 1402 an esquire named Godfrey Rowland petitioned Parliament for redress against a blatant act of terrorism on Wensley's part. He alleged that in May 1399 the latter, abetted by a large gang of thugs and ruffians, had robbed him of goods worth 200 marks, kept him prisoner in the castle of the High Peak without food or drink for almost a week and, as a final act of brutality, had cut off his right hand.
On 21 Jul 1403 Henry IV King England (age 36), with his son the future King Henry V of England (age 16), defeated the rebel army of Henry "Hotspur" Percy (age 39) at the Battle of Shrewsbury at the site now known as Battlefield, Shrewsbury [Map]. King Henry V of England (age 16) took an arrow to the side of his face leaving him severely scarred. John Stanley (age 53) was wounded in the throat. Thomas Strickland (age 36) fought and was awarded £38 and two of the rebel Henry's horses. Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 21) fought for the King. Walter Blount (age 55), the King's Standard Bearer, was killed by Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine (age 31).
Thomas Wendesley (age 59) and Edmund Cockayne (age 47) were killed.
Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford (age 25) was killed. His son Humphrey Stafford succeeded 6th Earl Stafford, 7th Baron Stafford.
Hugh Shirley (age 52) was killed; he was one of four knights dressed as Henry IV King England (age 36).
Of the rebels, Henry "Hotspur" Percy (age 39), Madog Kynaston (age 43) and John Clifton were killed.
Thomas Percy 1st Earl of Worcester (age 60) was beheaded after the battle. Earl Worcester extinct.
Richard Vernon 11th Baron Shipbrook (age 48) was hanged. Baron Shipbrook forfeit.
John Rossall was killed. His sister Eleanor Rossall (age 26) inherited a half-share in the Rossall Shrewsbury [Map] estates.
John Massey (age 65) was killed.
After 21 Jul 1403 Thomas Wendesley (age 59) was buried at All Saint's Church, Bakewell, Derbyshire [Map]. Camail and Jupon Period armour. IHC NASARE Lettering. His Coat of Arms just visible. Lancastrian Esses Collar.
