His age was stated to be 25 years in evidence given about Easter 1473 in connection with a legal dispute relating to the manor of Lullingstone Castle, indicating that he was born in 1447 or 1448.
[1] An inquisition post mortem held in November 1486 following the death of Thomas Hoo stated that William was "aged 40 or more",[2] which points to his year of birth being no later than 1446.
William's will refers to an agreement between the couple at the time of their marriage that Agnes should enjoy various properties including the manor of Heighton St Clere during her life.
[5] In the autumn of 1483, a rebellion erupted against the rule of Richard III, who had been crowned King on 6 July that year.
However, in 1499 Robert Tate, an alderman of London, acquired the young man's wardship and the associated control of lands in Buckinghamshire, Sussex, Kent and Gloucestershire.