Biography of John Hotham 1610-1645

Around February 1643, John Hotham (age 33) was ready to switch to the Royalist side. He considered himself a better commander than Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax (age 31) and resented being under his command. In February or March 1643, Hotham started negotiating with the William Cavendish 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 50), the Royalist commander in Yorkshire at Bridlington, supposedly about a prisoner exchange. In exchange for surrendering Hull and changing sides, Hotham demanded 20,000 pounds cash, the rank of viscount for his father and the rank of baron for himself.

In April 1643 John Hotham (age 33) joined his troops with the Parliamentarian forces in Lincolnshire. The bad behaviour of Hotham's troops, coupled with what appeared to be attempts by Hotham to co-opt the Parliamentarian officers, raised suspicions with then Colonel Oliver Cromwell (age 43) and John Hutchinson, the governor of Nottingham Castle. They denounced him to the Parliamentary Committee of Safety. In summer 1643 his arrest was ordered. He fled to Nottingham then attempted to travel to Hull. He was arrested with his father [his father] John Hotham 1st Baronet (age 53).

In December 1644 Parliament decided to execute the Hothams, father and son, [his father] John Hotham 1st Baronet (age 55) and John Hotham (age 34).

On 1st January 1645 John Hotham was beheaded for treason by Parliamentarians at Tower Hill [Map]. His father was executed the next day.

On 2nd January 1645 John Hotham 1st Baronet was beheaded for treason by Parliamentarians; his son having been executed the previous day. His grandson [his son] John (age 12) succeeded 2nd Baronet Hotham of Scorborough in Yorkshire.

Diary of Isabella Twysden 1645. 1st January 1645. The first of Janua Mr Jo: hothum (age 35) was beheaded on tower hill [Map].