He was the eldest son of John Gawen and Margaret Jooe.
He had a reputation as an outstanding lawyer and an efficient administrator who served for many years as justice of the peace.
Both Waltham and Lovel were favourites of King Richard II, which no doubt contributed to Gawen's powerful local position.
However, the downfall of King Richard and his replacement by Henry IV did not affect Gawen's position: he remained a leading figure in his county until his death in 1418.
John Gavan (died 1679), the Catholic martyr who was executed during the Popish Plot, was probably descended from Gawen.