Sir Stephen Hamerton

  Notes:

Burkes; "Sir Stephen Hamerton of Hamerton who m 21 Henry VII Elizabeth, dau of Sir Ralph e Bigod, Knt of Settrington and had an only son Henry" ...... " In the 17th Henry VIII we find Sir Stephen Hamerton in the train of Henry de Clifford, first Earl of Cumberland, and in favour at court, but afterwards being involved in the great northern insurrection (anno 1587), he received his majesty's pardon. Rebelling a second time with the Lord Darcy, and his brother-in-law, Sir Francis de Bigod, he was taken prisoner, conveyed to London and executed and attainted. The estates of this unfortunate gentleman falling under the attainder, Hellifield Peel remained vested in the crown, until granted (37 Henry VIII) ....... to George Browne, and his heirs, to be held of the king in capite. The estate did not remain, however, long in this family for in the 7th Edward VI it was aliented to Sir Arthur Darcy, Knt, and by him, in the next reign, transferred to John Redman Esq., father of the gentleman who had married the granddaughter of the attainted Sir Stephen Hamerton. In the 3rd of Elizabeth this John Redman passed the manor to the nephew and next male heir of the said Sir Stephen namely John Hamerton esq."

Sir Stephen Hamerton, in 1537, joined the insurgents, in the great northern insurrection The Pilgramage of Grace; and after having availed himself of the King's pardon, revolted a second time; after which, having been taken prisoner, he was conveyed to London, and shortly after attainted and executed. Hellifield was, however, preserved by a settlement for the life of the widow of John Hamerton, who was mother of Sir Stephen. Although Wigglesworth Manor (below) says "Eventually Sir Stephen's wife recovered part of the estate which had been the subject of a family settlement".

'Wigglesworth Manor' by G.Wigglesworth and D.Kaneps;
"In 1522 we know that Lord northumberland was the chief lord at Long Preston, while Stephen Hamerton was the Steward when he was absent".
"The estate was accumulated over the years and included Hamerton Hall, 10km west of Wigglesworth, and Hellifield Peel, known in the 1300s and licensed to be crenellated. Eventually however Wigglesworth Hall became the main residence within its deer park. When Sir Stephen was executed Henry VIII confisicated his land and property and had an inventory taken at Wigglesworth..... this details a large house with two towers, a great hall, 8 or more chambers, 2 parlours with rooms off, as well as all the domestic places such as kitchen, pantry, larder, buttery, bake-house, brewhouse and wine cellar. The house had a chapel with a clock and a bell. There was a mill. For the animals there was a dog house, dovecote, stable and cowshed. The two barns held hay and corn. Details of the field and woods cover 100 acres. There is mention of grazing on the moors for 160 sheep. "
"WH in the 16thC seems a small farm by today's standards. It must be remembered that this was just one of the Hameron holidings. It was said he could ride on his own land from Slaidburn to York".

'Wigglesworth Hall' by G.Wigglesworth;
"In 1536 Sir Stephen Hammerton revolted and joined the Pilgrimage of Grace. He was pardoned by the King. He returned to his home at Wigglesworth Hall, prepared to live the life of a country gentleman, at peace with all the world .... Towards the close of 1536 the peasantry in North Craven rose in revolt, demanding the re-instatement of the monks at Sawley Abbey. They marced to Wigglesworth Hall hoping to induce Sir Stephen to lead them. He refused time and again, but the rebels became so violent and destructive, that he was practically forced to accede to their demands. He went with them to Monibent (near Halton West) where he found 300-400 men and Nicholas Tempest of Bracewell who had been induced to come in like manner to himself. Receiving a hostile response from the Earl of Cumberland, no support from the townspeople of Burnley and Colne and finally a cool response from the Abbot of Walley Abbey, they set off home ..... Some time later Sir Stephen and Nicholas Tempest were ordered to appear at York. Despite their assurances they were tried and found guilty of treason. They were executed at Smithfield 25 May 1537. Sir Stephen, being a Knight, was not drawn and quartered as were the four others who were hung with him....

Stephen married Elizabeth Bigot/Bigod in 1530.