WAKE

The Wakes are mentioned by Brompton as in the immediate train of the CONQUEROR; but it is the opinion of antiquaries that the individual of the name of Wake recorded in the Roll of Battle Abbey, was one of those who being weary of Harold's rule, fled into Normandy, and invited Duke WILLIAM; hence the family is supposed to have been of importance prior in the Conquest. From BALDWIN, LORD WAKE, founder of the Abbey of Brun, who d. in 1156, descended, through a long line of eminent ancestors, SIR THOMAS WAKE, a gallant knight, who fought with the Black Prince, and distinguished himself particularly at the battle of Najaru. He was sheriff of Northamptonshire for five successive years in the reign of EDWARD III. By Alice, his wife, dau. and co-heir of Sir John Pateshull, Knt. of Bletso, Bedfordshire, he had a son and heir, SIR THOMAS WAKE, Knt., who m. Maud, dau. of Sir Thomas Pigot, Knt., and was s. by his son, SIR THOMAS WAKE, Knt., of Blysworth, sheriff of Northamptonshire in 2nd Richard II. He m. Margaret, dau. and co-heir of Sir John Philpot, Knt., of Kent, and was s. by his son, SIR THOMAS WAKE, Knt., M.P., gentleman of the bed-chamber, and a member of the privy-council to King EDWARD IV. This gentleman was so extensive a landed proprietor in the cos. of Somerset, Northampton, Kent, and the principality of Wales, that he required the designation of "the Great Wake." From Sir Thomas sprang the WAKES of Clevedon, co. Somerset, now represented by Sir CHARLES WAKE, Bt., and WILLIAM WAKE, D.D., Archbishop of Canterbury.

--(This name appears on the Battle Abbey Roll)