HOTOFT, John (d.1443), of Knebworth, Herts.

Controller of the household of Henry, prince of Wales, by 13 Apr. 1411-prob. 20 Mar. 1413.

J.p. Mdx. 12 July 1411 – Nov. 1413, Herts. 16 Jan. 1414 – d.

Clerk of the ct. of c.p. 23 Mar. 1413-Jan. 1423.PPC, ii. 169–70. See the biography of Robert Darcy for the chronology of this appointment.

Commr. of inquiry, Herts. Jan. 1414 (lollards at large), Essex, Herts. Jan. 1416 (concealments), Herts. June 1417 (wastes), Apr. 1431 (persons liable to contribute to a royal grant), Feb., July 1436 (ownership of land in Thele), Nov. 1442 (escape of felons from Hertford gaol); oyer and terminer Mar., Sept. 1417 (withdrawal of labour services by tenants of St. Albans abbey); array, Normandy Mar. 1419; to raise royal loans, Herts. Nov. 1419, May 1421, Mar. 1422, July 1426, May 1428, Feb. 1434, Mar. 1439, Nov. 1440, Mar. 1442; repay loans made for national defence, generally July 1435; of kiddles, Essex, Herts., Mdx. July 1440; to raise a parliamentary subsidy, Herts. Feb. 1441.

Escheator, Essex and Herts. 23 Nov. 1419–26 Nov. 1420.

Collector of a loan, Herts. Jan. 1420, Jan. 1436.

Treasurer of the Household 8 Feb. 1423–24 May 1431.PPC, iii. 25, 286; iv. 29.

Sheriff, Essex and Herts. 4 Nov. 1428-Mich. 1429.

Treasurer of the King’s wars by Mich. 1429-c. Dec. 1430.E101/52/33–35, 408/9; E404/47/123, 148; PPC, iv. 71–72; v. 32.

Chamberlain of the receipt of the Exchequer 1 Feb. 1431 – d.

Steward of the Essex and Herts. estates of Katherine, queen of Henry V, by 4 July 1436–3 Jan. 1437.E163/7/31 (2) m. 32.