Roger Hele (abt. 1365 - abt. 1430)

Born about 1365 in Hele, Bradninch, Devon, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1430 at about age 65 in Cornwood, Devon, England

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Biography

Biography

Roger de la Hele appears as the second son of William de la Hele, Lord Hele of Bradninch (an estate in Devon). He was the brother to Nicholas Hele.^[1] He is noticed in the Visitations of Devon conducted in 1620.^[2]

He, or his line, would become the male heir to the line of Lord Hele after the death of his brother's heir, Alice. He is said to have served during the period of Henry IV and fought in the "Scotch Wars" where he was taken prisoner.^[3] The Visitations provide that the incarceration occurred in 2 Henry IV. (1400/01). ^[4] Based on this, and associated events, a birth year has been assumed to be c. 1365.

He is listed in the Visitations of Cornwall, as having been taken prisoner in Scotland in the second year of Henry IV. ^[5] One citation states 'The herald's visitations commence with Sir Roger de la Heale in the reign of Henry III, fifth in descent from whom through several knights named Roger and Nicholas, was William de la Heale, who left issue two sons. Nicholas. Roger, who became heir male of the family on the death of Nicholas.

His brother, Nicholas, is said to have died in 1st Henry V (1413/4) and the source implies Roger was still alive. ^[6] It might be presumed he died c. 1430 and was unlikely to be alive when Alice Hele died. It will be his son, William Hele, that will reclaim the title of Hele, on reversion from Alice.

While his brother lived at Hele, in Bradninch, Roger lived at Hele (called South Hele to distinguish it from the original family home) in Cornwood.^[7]

No source yet noticed provides the details of his wife. They are known to have had a son, William

Estates of Hele

This family of Hele, the source family of the Hele of Devon, lived at Hele in the feudal barony, later a Parish, of Bradninch (in Devon); Hele being about 1 mile from Bradninch. Appearing in the Doomsday Record as Bradenese, the barony had been granted by William the Conqueror (1066–1087) to William Capra, who is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding this manor. The barony, noticed as Braneis, escheated to the crown and King Henry I (1100–1135) granted it to be held as an honour or barony with the Earldom of Cornwall by Reginald, natural son of King Henry I., by King John and his son Richard. It was eventually made, and still continues to be, part of the duchy.^[8]

The manor of Hele was the original inheritance and residence of the ancient family of Hele, thought to have descended from a Bartholomew de Hele. The heiress (Alice Hele) of the elder branch brought this estate to the family of Franceis of Comb Flory in Somersetshire, in the reign of Henry V. The estates also included the manor of East Membury (Parish of Membury in Devon). These will also pass to the Franceis family through marriage of Alice.^[9]

Although some historians suggest that there were two ancient families of Hele, one descended from Hele, of Hele, in the parish of Bradninch; the other of Hele, in the parish of Cornwood, this is incorrect. The Hele of Cornwood are derived from the person of this profile; Roger. While his brother lived at Hele, in Bradninch, Roger lived at Hele in Cornwood. The property of Hele in Bradninch passed to Alice and then to the Francies family while the property at Cornwood remained in Roger's family.^[10] The Hele of Cornwood are the progenitor of the Hele of South Hele, Hele of Gnaton and Holwell, Hele of Fleet (Parish of Holbeton), Hele of Newton Ferrers, Hele of Brizton and Hele of Wembury.

Armorial

The armorial for the family of Hele of Fleet is given as Gules, a bend lozengy ermine. ^[11] The armorial of Roger Hele is uncertain, but it is certain he did not carry those of his brother. The main arms will revert to this line but at which point is not certain.

Sources

1. ↑ A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies of England Hele of Hele
2. ↑ The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620; Hele page 145
3. ↑ A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies of England Hele of Hele
4. ↑ The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620; Hele page 145
5. ↑ Visitation of Cornwall, 1620 page 208 https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=t0U7AQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA215
6. ↑ A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies of England Hele of Hele
7. ↑ 'General history: Extinct baronets', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. cxxiii-cxxxii. British History Online British History Online Extinct Baronets - Hele of Fleet.
8. ↑ 'Parishes: Bickton - Bridford', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. 47-69. British History Online - Bradninch.
9. ↑ 'Parishes: Maker - Musbury', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. 326-360. British History Online - Parish of Membury.
10. ↑ 'General history: Extinct baronets', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. cxxiii-cxxxii. British History Online British History Online Extinct Baronets - Hele of Fleet.
11. ↑ 'General history: Extinct baronets', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. cxxiii-cxxxii. British History Online British History Online Extinct Baronets - Hele.

Footnotes: Publications:

• A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies of England, by J. and J.B. Burke - Google Booksarchive.org

• The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620; Sir Henry Saint-George. Archive.org

• Daniel Lysons and Samuel Lysons, 'Parishes: Bickton - Bridford', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. 47-69. British History Online.

• Daniel Lysons and Samuel Lysons, 'General history: Extinct baronets', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. cxxiii-cxxxii. British History Online British History Online Extinct Baronets - Hele of Fleet 1627.

• Daniel Lysons and Samuel Lysons, 'Parishes: Maker - Musbury', in Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822), pp. 326-360. British History Online - Parish of Membury.