John Hauley or Hawley

 

The Hauley family are reputed to have come to the town of Dartmouth from the small hamlet of Allaleigh towards the beginning of the 14th century.  The first John Hauley build a warehouse and Quay on the Foss which became known as Hauley’s Hoe and a rhyme of the day ran “Below the wind high Blow the wind low It below with the fair for Hauley’s Hoe although there are variations of this.  While the first Hauley’s name appears as a witness on some Borough deeds it was his son the second John Hauley who had a marked influence on the prosperity & future of the town.  A well to-do  merchant he became mayor 14 times and an MP four times.  Granted a licence in 1379 to go to sea at his own expense to attack and destroy the King’s enemies, or privateer as they are frequently referred to, his exploits were at times more akin to that of a pirate, on occasions bringing him into conflict with the King. 

It was to Hawley that the government turned to in 1381 to organise the defence of the Dart against the French and to build a Fortalice at the entrance to the port.  Hauley’s exploits continued into the 15th century organising in April 1404 the defence of the town from attack by the Breton’s in what has become known as the battle of Blackpool Sands.  John Hawley died in 1408 and is buried in St Saviour’s church where there is a Brass showing him in Knight’s Armour with his two wives Joan and Alice.  His son John Hawley III also a merchant, landowner and privateer was MP for Dartmouth many times and like his father often accused of piracy, Nicholas son of Hawley III did not live long after his fathers death and died in 1442 without children.

 

Summary of the main facts about the life of Hauley II

1340     John Hawley II was born before this date, no one knows exactly when, his father being a member of the Corporation which signed the Royal Charter giving the Borough self government in 1341. John Hawley I was a wealthy merchant, with his warehouse on the Foss. His son, Hawley II, was also a wealthy merchant but nothing is known about him before 1372.

1372     Hawley was one of 12 who signed the charter consecrating St. Saviour's church.

1373      Chaucer visited Dartmouth, and probably met Hawley, a leading member of the Corporation.

1374     Hawley was Mayor, the first of 14 times he was so chosen.   He and 14 others were ordered by a royal

Commission to survey the town's defenses against possible French attack.

1377     Death of Edward HI. Richard II King aged 10 years.   Hawley, again Mayor, was appointed to collect

The Poll Tax.

1379     Hawley and two others given a royal license as privateers to provide 6 ships, one the Magdeleyn, to

attack the French.

1381     Hawley and others again commissioned to examine and strengthen the defenses of the harbour,

1382     Hawley was named a Justice of the Peace, with several other great men of Devon, to deal with cases arising out of the Peasants Revolt of 13 81.

1383      Hawley, again Mayor, appointed Controller of Customs of all S. West ports.

1385     Hawley, Mayor, ordered to arrest and deliver to a London merchant goods belonging to Genoese

merchants captured and brought into Dartmouth. He was to find those responsible.

1386-9  Chaucer is thought to have written the Canterbury Tales.

1387     Hawley was said to have given satisfaction in another case about 21 tuns of wine captured at sea, and had appeared before the Council in London to negotiate a settlement.

1388      Chief Justice Tresilian was executed for treason against Richard II, his lands being forfeit. Hawley bought many of his Cornish estates and tin mines, so becoming an important landowner.

1388     Hawley was appointed collector of a subsidy (tax) on wine for the king, paying £500 for the 'farm'.

1389     On death of Guy de Bryan, under Hawley most of his powers as Lord of DM transferred to Mayor etc.

1390's Hawley's busiest time: 6 times Mayor, 4 times M.P., and responsible for building the Fortalice of DM. John Holand, half-brother of Richard II, started building Dartington Hall as his local centre of power.

1390     Hawley M.P. at Westminster twice this year. Dartmouth awarded the valuable tin staple.

1393      Hawley M.P.  New charter granted by King gave town more powers.

1394     WORK ALL THIS DECADE ON NEW CASTLE.

1395      John Hawley, probably his son J.H. Ill, became the King's Esquire, "to stay with the King."

1396     On Richard II second marriage Hawley gave two masts & equipment as wedding present, and two of his ships went with the fleet to collect the bride from France.

1399     Rebellion against Richard by cousin Henry who deposed him and later had him murdered. Henry became King Henry IV.    John Holand plotted to rescue Richard, was caught and beheaded. Hawley and son transferred loyalty to new King.

1400     War with France renewed. Hawley made Deputy Lieut. to Admiral of England, and send ships to

Southampton to fight the French.

1402-3   Hawley in trouble with king for seizing Flemish ships & cargoes. Ordered to go to Calais to answer

charges. Ignored this.

1403     Bretons under Du Chatel sacked Plymouth. King ordered Hawley to "make war on Bretons."

Hawley made joint Captain of fleet of ships in western channel which captured 7 merchant ships, all neutral. Ordered by king to return them. Ignored.

1404      Bretons landed at Slapton and marched towards DM.   Battle of Blackpool. Du Chatel killed, many taken prisoner. King ordered Te Deum in Westminster Abbey.

1405      Hawley involved in more privateering raids.

1406       Arrested, put in Tower of London.   Agreed to restore goods taken from Spanish merchants. Three W. Countrymen bailed him out for £3,000.

1407     Hawley accused with others of capturing 17 ships - commissioners were all local merchants. No action

1408     Hawley died, buried in St. Saviour's, in Chancel he had built.

 

 

For further information visit http://www.devonperspectives.co.uk/johnhawley.html