William de Hilton Baron de Hilton [60308]

  General Notes:

http://www.rpi.edu/~holmes/Hobbies/Genealogy/ps26/ps26_178.htm


The following letter, printed in Randall's MS and found in the possession of the last Baron John of Hilton, dated January 14, 1740, outlines the early history of the family;


[1264]
"There are now some papers before me relating to the antiquity of your family, the genealogy of your ancestors, and their transactions in peace and war, The interest which I conceive I have in my native country, would not suffer me to forego the
opportunity of being now in town to aquaint you with what I met within them. You may have records more large and authentic in Hilton Castle, but in case you should not, I thought it not improper that I should send you a short abstract of which, upon
perusal of these papers, appears to belong to you. To wit-
* that 300 years before the Conquest, in the reign of Athelstane, the family of Hiltons were settled in England, as appears by the inscription at Hartlepool.
* that upon the coming over of the Conquerer, Launcelot de Hilton and his two sons joined him and espoused his cause.
* that Launcelot was soon after slain at Faversham, in Kent.
* That to his eldest son Henry the king gave a large tract of land on the banks of the river Were (Wear), not far from Wiranmouth (Wearmouth), as Bede calls it, as a reward for his own and his son's valour.
* - that Henry Hilton built Hilton Castle in 1072 A.D. He was one of the four deputies who treated the king concerning the four northern counties, and in the service of that prince was soon after killed in Normandy
* that in the reign of King Edward III, John Hilton, who sent four of his sons to the wars of France, under the Black Prince, was first created Baron of Hilton Castle for his defence of it against the invasion of the Scots.
* that this peerage continued in the family for seven generations until it was forfeited on account of some unguarded words, of which the Bishop of Durham gave information to the court, which William the seventh, the last baron, spoke against the queen
and her favorite De la Poole.
* that on the death of the Baron, which was thought to be violent, the court gave the estate to the informing prelate, who held it for some time to the utter exclusion of the rightful heir.
* that in the process of time Launcelot, grandson of the aforesaid William, was restored to his castle and part of his estate; no more indeed than the Bishop thought fit to allow him under this hard condition, viz., that his heirs should forever hold
the moiety that was given them under certain conditions and services to the See of Durham, and have the title of Baron annexed to their inheritance, but to be Barons of the Bishopric only; and this sir, is the condition under which I suppose it has
continued ever since.

William married Benet (heir of Germanus) Tyson [60309] [MRIN: 551616829].