Robert de Ashton

For other people named Robert Ashton, seeRobert Ashton (disambiguation).

The Ashton coat-of-arms:Argent, a mullet sable pierced of the field

Sir Robert de Ashton(died 1385), also calledRobert AsshetonorRobert de Assheton,was a civil, military, and naval officer underEdward III of Englandwho achieved distinction alike in court and camp, both by land and by sea.

Family

Ashton was of the great northern family of Ashton or Assheton, ofAshton-under-Lyne,Lancashire.

Robert was also twice-married. By his first wife, Elizabeth de Gorges, Heiress of Tothill, he left a son,Thomas,and a daughter, Eleanor. His second wife was the widow of Lord Matthew de Gomey, and after Ashton's death she married the knight Sir John Tiptoft. She died in 1417.

Career

Dover Castle, where Sir Robert died

Sir Robert is first mentioned in 1324 as amember of the parliamentofWestminster,and afterwards as occupying positions of great importance and trust. In 1359, he was governor of 'Guynes' nearCalais;in 1362 he wasLord Treasurerof England; in 1368 he had custody of thecastle of SandgatenearCalaiswith the lands and revenue thereto belonging; in 1369 he wasadmiral of the Narrow Seas;in 1372 he wasJusticiar of Ireland,and in 1373 he was again Lord Treasurer of England andKing's Chamberlain.In 1375, he becameChancellor of the Exchequerand held that office until the death ofEdward IIIin 1377, when he was succeeded by Simon de Burley. From 1376 to 1381, Ashton was Constable ofPortchester Castle,which he reinforced by building "Ashton's tower".

The new king did not discard his father's old servant, and in 1380 Ashton was appointedconstable of Dover and warden of the Cinque Ports.He died atDover Castleon 9 January 1385, and was buried in the church there, to which he had previously presented a large bell.

References

"Ashton, Robert de".Dictionary of National Biography.London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.