The Skaggs-Files

Sir. Knt.
RICHARD WYDEVILL, esquire, brother of the half-blood, succeeded to Grafton under Thomas's will (g). In early life he was very probably in the service of Henry, Earl of Derby, afterwards Henry IV. In 1411 he was in the retinue of the King's son "Thomas of Lancaster," captain of Guînes; in 1419 he had a grant of the lands and lordships of Préaux, Dangu and Neuville, and in November was appointed bailiff of Gisors, Vernon, Andely and Lions; bailiff of Chaumont in February 1419/20; promoted seneschal of Normandy, January 1420/1; in March 1422/3, a commissioner to receive the surrender of Meulan; in 1423 he was chamberlain to the Duke of Bedford, treasurer-general of Normandy, and captain of Caen. He was appointed, February 1424/5, during pleasure, at a time of disturbances in the City, to attend to the safe keeping of the Tower of London. In June 1427 and June 1429 he was Lieutenant of Calais, and in March 1430/1 was appointed to attend the young King's person for half a year in France; in May 1434 he was retained to serve the King in the wars in France with 20 men at arms. In July 1433, Knight of the shire, Kent; J.P., 1433-41. He was present at the Great Council meeting at Westminster in April and May 1434, at which the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester contended as to the conduct of the war in France, and, in February 1434/5, one of the commissioners to treat with the Duke of Burgundy as to the statutes of the Staple of Calais. On the death of the Duke of Bedford he was appointed Lieutenant of Calais, 1 October 1435. As the King's esquire he was appointed, 25 January 1436/7, during pleasure, constable of Rochester castle; and 1437-39, took part in various commissions in Kent. In 1437 he was sheriff of Northants, and a commissioner to raise a loan there, 1439.

He married Joan, daughter of Thomas BITTELSGATE of Knightston, co. Devon, byhis wife Joan, daughter and heir of Sir John BEAUCHAMP of Lillesdon. He died probably about December 144I. His widow was living 17 July 1448. [Complete Peerage XI:17-9, XIV:549, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]

(g) He had therefore been seated at the manor of La Mote, near Maidstone - a property leased in 1428 for 50 years by Richard and his wife Joan from Archbishop Chichele.

Note (a) from his elder half brother Thomas for the year 1433 when Thomas was sheriff of Northants: It was about this time that the form Wodeville is first found. Thomas dsp 1435.