Family and Education

Offices Held

Reeve, Salisbury 1 Nov. 1396-7.1

Biography

Hulle is first mentioned when, in 1393, he stood surety for the attendance in Parliament not only of John Bitterley, Member for Salisbury, but also of Henry Bont for Wilton and William Spicer for Devizes. In 1398 he contributed £2 towards his city’s share of a parliamentary subsidy, and in the same year he witnessed several local deeds.2

Together with William Walters*, Hulle was closely involved in some important decisions and actions on the part of the city during the last year of the reign of Richard II. In September 1398 the two men (along with Richard Spencer*) were sent with the common seal to Coventry where, on behalf of the corporation, they sealed the text of a compulsory oath to support the King and uphold his banishment of Henry of Bolingbroke. However, as soon as the latter landed in July 1399, Hulle and Walters were despatched to make him a gift of £200 (originally collected for King Richard) and to hand over a letter expressing Salisbury’s loyalty. After various wanderings, they caught up with Henry at Lichfield (probably in the last week of July) and delivered their message, to which he returned a gracious reply, promising to be the city’s ‘good lord’ and to maintain its privileges. After all these efforts, it is not surprising to find Hulle and Walters returned for Salisbury to Henry’s first Parliament.3

In 1404 Hulle acquired a messuage in Salisbury forwhich he was to pay Alice, wife of George Meriot (and widow of John Bitterley) £4 a year for her lifetime. He stood surety for the attendance of William Bailey at the Parliament of 1406, but beyond that nothing further is known of him.4

Ref Volumes: 1386-1421

Author: Charles Kightly

Notes

• 1. Salisbury RO, ‘Domesday bk.’ 2, f. 18.
• 2. C219/9/9; Salisbury RO, ledger bk. A, f. 6; ‘Domesday bk.’ 2, ff. 11, 16-17, 21.
• 3. R. Benson and H. Hatcher, Old and New Sarum, 105, 108; ledger bk. A, ff. 7-10.
• 4. Wilts. Feet of Fines (Wilts. Rec. Soc. xli), 243; C219/10/3.