Family and Education

1st s. of Sir Francis Hotham of Scorborough by Mary, da. of Humphrey Hercy or Horsey of Grove, Notts. educ. M. Temple 1578. m. (1) Julian, da. of Sir Michael Stanhope of Shelford, Notts., 4da.; (2) Mary, da. of Sir George Goring of Burton, Suss., 1s. d.v.p.; (3) Jane, da. of Richard Legard of Rysom, Holderness, 1s. 3da.1

Offices Held

J.p.q. Yorks. (E. Riding) from c.1573; sheriff, Yorks. 1584-5; commr. musters, Yorks. (E. Riding) 1595; member, high commission, York province 1599.2

Biography

The Hothams were an old East Riding family. Originally called de Trehouse, in the twelfth century they took the name Hotham from the East Riding village which they had held for several generations. Of John Hotham himself little is known, though he took an active part in the affairs of the East Riding, in October 1585 certifying to Walsingham the answers of the recusants about the provision of light horses. He was one of only six East Riding gentlemen called upon to furnish a light horse for Ireland in 1601, which suggests that he was among the richer of the local gentry. No reason other than his county standing has been found to account for his return for Scarborough. He may have owed his seat at Hedon to the Constables, to whom he was related.3

Hotham disposed of much of his property, selling at least 16 manors, 180 houses, 131 cottages and 12 mills, and buying, so far as is known, only one manor, 14 houses and 8 cottages. Nothing is known of the circumstances of his death, which occurred about 1609, or the contents of his will. His son was the Sir John Hotham who defended Hull against Charles I, negotiated with the royalists, and was executed in 1645.4

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N.M.S.

Notes

• 1. Foster, Vis. Yorks. 98; Oliver, Beverley, 509.
• 2. HMC Hatfield, ix. 397; CSP Dom. 1595-7, p. 166.
• 3. E. Riding Antiq. Soc. vii. 10; CSP Dom. 1581-90, pp. 276, 283; APC, xxxii. 283.
• 4. Yorks. Fines (Yorks. Arch. Soc. rec. ser. ii., v., viii), passim.