Robert Hales

Sir Robert Hales, also called Robert de Hales, was Lord/Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitallers of England, Lord High Treasurer, and Admiral of the West in medieval England, and was killed in the Peasants Revolt. He was born about 1325 in Hales Place, High Halden, Kent, the son of Nicholas Hales.

Admiral Sir Robert Hales
Born	1325 Hales Place, High Halden, Kent, England
Died	14 June 1381 (aged 55–56) Tower Hill
Buried	London, England
Allegiance	England
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1372-1377
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Admiral of the West

Career

In 1372 Robert Hales became the Lord/Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitallers of England. Richard II appointed him Lord High Treasurer,[1] so he was responsible for collecting the hated poll tax. He was appointed Admiral of the West from 24 November 1376 – 24 November 1377.[2] He was beheaded on 14 June 1381 on Tower Hill during the Peasants Revolt. His estate and assets were inherited by his brother, Sir Nicholas de Hales, the progenitor of many prominent English Hales families. Robert Hales was present at many latter-day crusader expeditions and is recorded as leading a contingent of hospitaller knights at the sacking of Alexandria.

Hales was described by the chronicler Thomas Walsingham as a "Magnanimous knight, though the Commons loved him not".

Personal

He was the son of Nicholas Hales and his brother was Sir Nicholas de Hales, who inherited his father's estates in Kent.[1][3]

References

1. Hasted, Edward (1798). "Parishes". The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. Institute of Historical Research. 6: 80–98. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
2. Gorski, Richard (2012). Roles of the Sea in Medieval England. Boydell Press. p. 84. ISBN 9781843837015.
3. Burke, John. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies ..., p. 232, at Google Books