on of Edmund Dutton, Peter was born 1367. At 25 years old, he inherited
the Dutton estate of his Uncle Lawrence who died 1392 without issue. Peter
was appointed Constable of the Castle
of Chirk in Wales on 2 Oct 1397, 21 Ric.2, (DKR
31:194) A constable is an officer of high rank
and a keeper or governor of a royal fortress or castle. Peter may have engaged
in the Scottish wars of 1400-03 under the leadership of the Earl of Northumberland,
Henry Percy Baron of Alnwich, and his son, Hotspur. While Henry Percy had
served the crown loyally and well, he and his son complained of inadequate
funds and rewards in prosecuting the wars and of being deprived of ransoms
for their Scottish prisoners. They turned against the king and in alliance
with the Welsh leader, Owen Glendower, raised a large force. In rebellion
at the battle of Shrewsbury (21 July 1403), Hotspur was slain and Henry's
brother, the Earl of Worcester, was captured and beheaded." (EBO) On 3 Nov 1403, 5 Hen.4, Peter Dutton was given a "general
pardon...for all the offenses committed by him whilst in rebellion with
Henry Percy the son, and other rebels." (DKR
29:63) Other pardoned rebellion participants
were: William de Stanley, Kt., and his son, William de Stanley; Thomas Aleyn;
Laurence Fyton; James de Pulle; John de Pulle, Kt; Richard de Bromley; John
de Lytherland; John de Kyngesleye." (DKR 29:63)
 By 7 Hen.4, 1406, Sir Peter had become a knight. He also was the leasee
of the town of Northwich for six years with the commission to take effect
1 Oct 1415, 3 Hen.5 with the mills and oven, pleas of Courts and all other
issues on the mainprise of Hugh de Dutton and John Donne, of Utkynton. (DKR 31:194).
The "wich" towns of Middlewich, Northwich, and Nantwich were the
most important salt manufacturers in the region and; thus, Peter helped
to establish Hugh, his younger brother, in the salt business.
"Great contention fell between Sir Peter and Sir William Athurton
of Athurton in Lancashire. Insomuch that they made inroads and invasions
one upon the other...Sir William Athurton sued Sir Peter and all of his
Adherents...for taking away forty of his Oxen and forty Cows, out of his
Closes at Athurton, and for beating his servants." The suit was settled
by "John, Duke of Bedford, Earl of Richmond and Kendall, Constable
of England, and Regent of the Kingdom in the absence of Henry the Fifth;
Dated 9 Aprilis, 7 Hen.5, 1419. Restitution being awarded on both sides:
The horses and Saddles taken by Sir William Athurton, to be restored to
Sir Piers Dutton; and the cattle stolen by Sir Piers, to be restored to
the said Sir William." (Cope:21)
On 24 Oct 1433, 12 Hen.6, age 66 year old, Peter de Dutton, Kt. died.
(DKR 25:41; DKR 37:229) |
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(Deputy Keepers of the Public Record. Eyre, George E. and Spottiswoode,
William. London: 1867. Abbreviated DKR report:page.)
"Northumberland, Henry Percy, 1st Earl of, baron Percy of Alnwich"
in Encyclopedia
Brittannica Online, 1 May 1999. |
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