William Bowes (15th century MP)

William Bowes
William Bowes
Member of the England Parliament; for York
	In office; 1416 (March) – 1416 (October)
Preceded by	John Morton; Richard Russell
Succeeded by	Unknown
	In office; 1421 (March) – 1421 (December)
Preceded by	John Penrith; Henry Preston
Succeeded by	Thomas Gare; William Ormshead
	In office; 1422–1425
Preceded by	Thomas Gare ; William Ormshead
Succeeded by	Richard Russell
	In office; 1431–Unknown
Preceded by	William Ormshead
Succeeded by	Thomas Scotton
Personal details
Nationality	English
Spouse	Isabel (d.1435)
Children	William, Joan, Katherine + 1 other daughters

William Bowes was one of two Members of the Parliament of England for the constituency of York on four occasions.

Life and politics

The earliest record of William Bowes appears in 1391 in connection to the source of his wealth, namely wool exports. He is not mentioned again until he becomes chamberlain of the City of York in 1399. He also held the offices of sheriff (1401–02) and lord mayor (1417–18 & 1428–29).^[1]^[2] A measure of his standing in the city was evident when he and his wife were granted a papal indult and gifts received from William Skirlaw, the then bishop of Durham. William was a member of the Calais Staple. He was returned as MP for the city on four occasions and, as a member of the council of twelve, was involved in the elections on ten more occasions. William was reprimanded in 1418 by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester for apparently polluting the royal fisheries on the River Foss. This may have been caused by sewage from properties he owned in nearby Peasholm.^[1]

William was married to Isabel, who died in 1435 and had one son, William and three daughters. He was related by marriage to fellow merchant John Blackburn, who married his daughter Joan. He died in 1439 and was buried next to his wife in St Cuthbert's Church in York, a building he had paid to have rebuilt and restored. He left his holdings in Peasholm and Colliergate to his son, William. His daughter, Katherine, received his property on Thursday Market. He left his grandson, William, his armour and jewelry.^[1]^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "The History of Parliament Trust". Retrieved 26 December 2021.
^ Hildyard, Christopher (1719). The antiquities of York city, and the civil government thereof; with a list of all the mayors and bayliffs, lord mayors and sheriffs, from the time of King Edward the First, to this present year, 1719. Collected from the papers of Christopher Hildyard, esq., with notes and observations. G.White. pp. 42, 45, & 47.
^ P M Tillott, ed. (1961). 'The later middle ages: City and citizens', in A History of the County of York: the City of York. London. pp. 106–113.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Political offices
Preceded by John Morton Richard Russell	Member of Parliament 1416 (March)– 1421 (October)	Next: Unknown
Preceded by John Penrith Henry Preston	Member of Parliament 1421 (March) – 1421 (December)	Next: Thomas Gare William Ormshead
Preceded by Thomas Gare William Ormshead	Member of Parliament 1422 – 1425	Next: Richard Russell
Preceded by William Ormshead	Member of Parliament 1431 – Unknown	Next: Thomas Scotton

[HOP-1] "The History of Parliament Trust". Retrieved 26 December 2021.

[History-2] Hildyard, Christopher (1719). The antiquities of York city, and the civil government thereof; with a list of all the mayors and bayliffs, lord mayors and sheriffs, from the time of King Edward the First, to this present year, 1719. Collected from the papers of Christopher Hildyard, esq., with notes and observations. G.White. pp. 42, 45, & 47.

[3] P M Tillott, ed. (1961). 'The later middle ages: City and citizens', in A History of the County of York: the City of York. London. pp. 106–113.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

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