Baron Thomas Hoo

Thomas Hoo, 4th (ca 1396-1455) was a member of a distinguished family of England, which has been traced as far back as the 10th century. The name also appears in records as "de Hoo", implying a Norman connection.

The ancestral home of the Hoo family was Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire. It was held by the Hoo family from the time of King Canute the Dane until the death of Thomas in 1455.

Thomas was the son of Sir Thomas Hoo, 3rd and Eleanor Felton. His paternal ancestors include Hawise Fitzwarin, a descendent of WIlliam the Conqueror and Charlemagne, and Princess Dernell Canmor, daughter of King Alexander II of Scotland.

Thomas inherited the estates of his father as Lord of Hoo. He was made a Knight of the Garter for his service fighting in France. He also held titles as Sheriff of Bedfordshire and Chancellor of France. He became a great statesman and performed such services to the king as to be granted the barony of Hastings in 1443, thereby becoming Lord of Hoo and Hastings. Thomas married twice and had three daughters, but no sons. Upon his death in 1455, the barony became extinct.

Lord Thomas had a half brother, entitled Sir Thomas, son of his father's second wife, Elizabeth de Etchyngham; he was born in about 1416. Upon the death of Lord Thomas, Sir Thomas inherited Luton Hoo, being the only male heir. Apparently the brothers had an agreeable relationship. They are interred together in the Dacre Tomb at Herstmonceux All Saints Church in Sussex.

References

* [http://www.cowbeech.force9.co.uk/hmcxlistedbuildings.htm Herstmonceux Parish , East Sussex, England, The Parish Church of All Saints]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43576 British History Online - Offley St. Ledgers]
* [http://www.seekinghyde.org.uk/13582.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val* Kelly’s Directory of Bedfordshire, 1885 – Luton]
* [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dav4is/ODTs/HOO.shtml Hoo Family, 970 - 1463]