Sir William# le Vavasour 1st Lord

  Notes:

of Hazlewood.

Sir William le Vavasour of Hazelwood was employed in the Gascoigne and Scotch wars, and was so greatly esteemed that he was summoned to Parliament among the Barons from 6 February, 1299 (27 Edwd. I) to 7 January, 1313 (6 Edwd. II) although not in every year. He was keeper of the castles of Nottingham, Harston and Bolsover. In 5 Edwd. II he had custody of the city of York. He was in the wars in Scotland and present at the siege of Carlaverock in 1300 and is described by the monk chronicler present: “And of this same division was William le avasour, who in arms is neither deaf nor dumb. He had a very distinguishable banner of fine gold with a sable dauncet.” He gave to the Archbishop and Chapter of York from the quarry at Theves-dale (Jack-daw crag) the stone from which York Minster was built. He also founded St. Leonard’s chapel in his castle of Hazelwood, which because of his magnificent gift to York was made extra parochial by the archbishop. The King’s charter for the chapel is dated 29 April, 1286 (15 Edwd. I), the confirmation is dated 5 June, 1452 ( Henry VI). He had licence from the King to castellate Hazelwood (i8 Edw. I). In 23 Edw. I he did homage for all lands and tenements which Alice, his mother, held of the King as of the barony of Bayeux (Bacocis). He married Nichola, daughter of Sir Stephen Walls of N Knight He died 6 Edw. II. In his will, dated 1311, he wished to be buried in the new chapel of St. Leonard’s of Hazelwood. His brother was Sir Mauger Vavasour, a quo Vavasour of Weston, Newton, Acaster, etc.

William# married Nicola# Wallis, daughter of Sir Stephen# Wallis and Unknown, ~1316.