Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 27.djvu/414

Hotham St. Mary, afterwards Trinity Church, at Ely, and, the central tower of the cathedral church having fallen in 1322, raised the present octagon, with its dome and lantern, while the bishop at his own expense rebuilt three bays of the presbytery, joining it on to the work of Bishop Hugh Northwold (d. 1254), at a cost of 2,034l. 12s. 8d. He gave various rich ornaments to the church, left his house and lands at Holborn to the see, and was also a benefactor to Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire. 

HOTHAM, JOHN (d. 1645), parliamentarian, was son of John Hotham of Scorborough, sheriff of Yorkshire in 1584, by his third wife, Jane Legard (, Yorkshire Pedigrees, ‘North and East Riding,’ Hotham of South Dalton, Garth). Hotham served some time as a soldier on the continent, was present at the battle of Prague in 1619, and for two years fought under Mansfeld. The story runs that ‘at his first going out as a soldier’ his father sought to dissuade him. ‘Son,’ said he prophetically, ‘when the crown of England lies at stake you will have fighting enough’ (Strafford Letters, ii. 288;, v. 804).

Hotham was knighted 11 April 1617, and created a baronet 14 Jan. 1621–2 (, Book of Knights, p. 170; Forty-seventh Report of the Deputy-Keeper of Public Records, p. 129). He represented Beverley in all the five parliaments of Charles I. During the contests between Wentworth and Savile for the representation of Yorkshire, Hotham supported the former, and Wentworth in return obtained the withdrawal of a bill brought against Hotham in the Star-chamber (Strafford Letters, i. 476, 495). In 1635 Hotham was sheriff of Yorkshire, and showed great zeal in levying ship-money (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1635, pp. 479, 507). When the Scotch troubles began he was esteemed well affected to the king's service, though quarrelsome and difficult to manage. Strafford strove to compose his differences with the vice-president of the council of the north and others, and though obliged to own that there was ‘somewhat more will and party’ in Hotham than he wished, added, ‘he is very honest, faithful, and hearty, and to be framed as you please with good usage’ (Strafford Letters, ii. 94, 193, 288). In 1639 it was proposed to take from Hotham the government of Hull, which he held by deputation from Strafford, and to give it to Captain Legge. Strafford was loud in his support of Hotham. ‘I know his faithfulness to be such as I durst answer for him with my life; nor am I ignorant that in party he is very eager, and in truth over-earnest, yet it were very easy to have him as forward on the king's party, and more than in any other private animosity. Believe me, he is as considerable a person as any other gentleman in the north of England, and therefore it were well in my opinion not utterly to cast him off, as by taking the government of that town you shall infallibly do’ (27 March 1639, ib. ii. 307, 310). Strafford's advice was unheeded, and the slight had the effects which he predicted. Hotham went into opposition, refused to pay ship-money, and was put out of all commissions which he held (Memoirs of Sir Hugh Cholmley, p. 61). After the Short parliament, in which he represented Beverley, he and Henry Bellasis were summoned before the privy council, and making very undutiful answers to the questions put to them were committed to the Fleet (8 May 1640,, iii. 1167). In the summer Hotham signed the two petitions of the Yorkshire gentry to the king, of which he and his cousin, Sir Hugh Cholmley, were the chief contrivers. Charles told them that if ever they meddled or had a hand in any more he would hang them. Hotham was one of the witnesses against Strafford on the article relating to the Yorkshire petition (ib. iii. 1214, 1231, 1265; Trial of Strafford, p. 604;, Memoirs, pp. 61–64).

In January 1642 the king attempted to possess himself of Hull, the arsenal in which the arms and munitions collected for the Scottish war had been deposited, and the port where Charles intended to land Dutch or Danish troops. Parliament at once gave orders to Hotham to secure Hull by means of the Yorkshire trained bands, and not to deliver it up till he was ordered to do so by ‘the king's authority signified unto him by the lords and commons now assembled in parliament’ (, History of England, x. 153, 184; Commons' Journals, ii. 371). His son, Captain John Hotham [q. v.], successfully secured Hull, and Sir John himself shortly afterwards assumed his command. On 23 April 1642 the king in person appeared before the town and demanded admittance.