Some background on John Botetourt in Gascony for Edward I
Feet of Fines
It appears that Sir John traveled to Gascony after he was on Edward I's business in Scotland.
The Wikipedia page for John de Botetourt does not explain the Gascony connection. It seems most likely that John accompanied Edward I in 1302-1303. This was after the activity in Scotland and before Edward I's death in 1307. Edward II was then king and then Sir John was concerned with events relating to Edward II, Piers Gaveston and the dispute between Edward II and Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster (Battle of Boroughbridge 1322).
John Botetourt in Gascony
Researching the Botetourt family you will find references to an invovement in Gascony for Edwards I and II. There is surprisigly little information on this on the Internet.
However, searching for Edward I and Gascony does reveal some information relating to Sir John de Botetourt in Gascony. This is in the form of a thesis paper by Ruth Louise Ingamells, Unoviersity of Durham - 1992.
Ruth Louise Ingamells - Ph. D. (University of Durham) - 1992
On the subject of who accompanied Edward I in Gascony and why he was there I found the following:
Unfortunately, there is no complete list of those who received lands. However, at the July parliament of 1302 it was decided to force those who held land in Scotland to provide men to serve in the Scottish castles. The policy was unsuccessful and was not repeated but it reveals who had been granted estates, including William Latimer, John and Peter de Chauvent, Nicholas Malemaynes, Simon Lindsay, John Botetourt, William de Cantilupe, John de Merk,
Robert de Scales and Walter de Teye. The number of men they were ordered to provide must have reflected the size of the lands they received.
John Botetourt had to provide four men, William de Cantilupe, two and Robert de Scales and John de Merk had to provide
one each. 13
With respect to Belchamp Walter this is interesting as Walter de Tey was suggested as a possible reason why the village got its name.
Top
John St John succeeded Robert Clifford on 5 January 1300. He was appointed as the king's captain and lieutenant in Annandale, Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancaster. He retained the office until
his death in 1302. After John St John's death Richard Siward was
appointed as warden of Galloway and Annandale until further notice.
John Botetourt was chosen as the new captain of Cumberland, Annandale, Westmorland and Lancaster in January 1303. A similar
position was given to William Latimer the elder. He was selected as
the king's captain and lieutenant in Nottingham, Derbyshire, York
and Northumberland on 25 November 1298. 31
John Botetourt could also have been invovled with Edward in Flanders. Ruth suggests why John did not. He could have been busy in Gascony
One of the major causes of dispute between Edward I and his opponents was the provision of men for his campaign in Flanders. No earls accompanied Edward I when he departed from Winchelsea on 22 August 1297. The household was the major component of the 1297 expedition. 70
Of the 64 knights receiving fees that year, 44 accompanied him to Flanders along with their contingents of knights
and squires. Among those serving in Flanders were such councillors and advisers as Hugh Despenser and Geoffrey de Geneville. Otto de Grandson was involved in the negotiations for peace with France during that period.71
Geoffrey de Geneville
