Robert de Ashton
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert de Ashton, also called "Robert Assheton" or "Robert de Assheton" (died 1385), was a civil, military, and naval officer under Edward III of England
who achieved distinction alike in court and camp, by land and by sea.
, Lancashire
. The house claims descent from Emma, the daughter of Albert de Gresley
, the first baron of Manchester
; she married Orm, the son of Ailward, and received from her father as a dowry a portion of the lands he had received from Roger of Poictou. From this union, probably of Norman heiress and Saxon thane, descended Sir John Ashton, who was twice married. The date of the birth of his son Robert is not known, nor are there records of his early career.
He was twice married. By his first wife, whose surname is not known, he left a son, Thomas
, and a daughter, Eleanor. His second wife was the widow of Lord Matthew de Gomey, and after Ashton's death married Sir John Tiptoft, knt., and died in 1417.
, and afterwards occupying positions of great importance and trust. In 1359 he was governor of 'Guynes
' near Calais
; in 1362 he was Lord Treasurer of England; in 1368 he had the custody of the castle of Sandgate
near Calais
with the lands and revenue thereto belonging; in 1369 he was admiral of the Narrow Seas; in 1372 he was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
and in 1373 again lord treasurer of England and King's Chamberlain
. In 1375 he became chancellor of the exchequer
, and held that office until the death of Edward III in 1377, when he was succeeded by Simon de Burley.
The new king did not discard his father's old servant, and in 1380 Ashton was appointed constable of Dover and warden of the Cinque Ports
. He died at Dover Castle
9 Jan. 1384-5, and was buried in the church there, to which he had previously presented a large bell.
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
who achieved distinction alike in court and camp, by land and by sea.
Family
Ashton was of the great northern family of Ashton or Assheton, of Ashton-under-LyneAshton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. The house claims descent from Emma, the daughter of Albert de Gresley
Albert de gresle
Albert de Gresle was the first baron of Manchester. Initially the Gresle family, who were Normans, were not residents in Manchester. Stewards represented the lords of the manor and it continued to grow in their absence....
, the first baron of Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
; she married Orm, the son of Ailward, and received from her father as a dowry a portion of the lands he had received from Roger of Poictou. From this union, probably of Norman heiress and Saxon thane, descended Sir John Ashton, who was twice married. The date of the birth of his son Robert is not known, nor are there records of his early career.
He was twice married. By his first wife, whose surname is not known, he left a son, Thomas
Thomas de Ashton (warrior)
Thomas de Ashton , was an English warrior.Ashton was the son and heir of Sir Robert de Ashton, and it is remarkable that, although the chief recorded event of his life shows him to have been a man of conspicuous military courage, he does not appear to have received the honour of knighthood, or to...
, and a daughter, Eleanor. His second wife was the widow of Lord Matthew de Gomey, and after Ashton's death married Sir John Tiptoft, knt., and died in 1417.
Career
Sir Robert is first mentioned in 1324, as a member of the parliament of WestminsterWestminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, and afterwards occupying positions of great importance and trust. In 1359 he was governor of 'Guynes
Guînes
Guînes is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:Guînes is located on the border of the two territories of the Boulonnais and Calaisis, at the edge of the now-drained marshes, which extend from here to the coast. The Guînes canal connects with...
' near Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
; in 1362 he was Lord Treasurer of England; in 1368 he had the custody of the castle of Sandgate
Sandgate Castle
Sandgate Castle is a coastal castle at Sandgate near Folkestone in Kent. It was originally built as an artillery castle in 1539-1540 by Henry VIII of England as part of his chain of coastal defences in response to the threat of invasion. As these forts were devised by Henry VIII, they are known as...
near Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
with the lands and revenue thereto belonging; in 1369 he was admiral of the Narrow Seas; in 1372 he was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
thumb|200px|The Four CourtsThe headquarters of the Irish judicial system since 1804. The Court of King's Bench was one of the original four courts that sat there....
and in 1373 again lord treasurer of England and King's Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
. In 1375 he became chancellor of the exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
, and held that office until the death of Edward III in 1377, when he was succeeded by Simon de Burley.
The new king did not discard his father's old servant, and in 1380 Ashton was appointed constable of Dover and warden of the Cinque Ports
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports
The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is a ceremonial official in the United Kingdom. The post dates from at least the 12th century but may be older. The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was originally in charge of the Cinque Ports, a group of five port towns on the southeast coast of England...
. He died at Dover Castle
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is a medieval castle in the town of the same name in the English county of Kent. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history...
9 Jan. 1384-5, and was buried in the church there, to which he had previously presented a large bell.