Robert Hales

Sir Robert Hales, also called Robert de Hales, was born about 1325 in Hales Place, High Halden, Kent, the son of Nicholas Hales.

In 1372 Robert Hales became the Lord/Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitallers of England. Richard II appointed him Lord High Treasurer, so he was responsible for collecting the hated poll tax. He was beheaded on 14 June 1381 on Tower Hill during the Peasants Revolt. His estate and assets were inherited by his brother, Sir Nicholas de Hales, the progenitor of many prominent English Hales families. Hales (which?) was present at many latter-day crusader expeditions and is recorded as leading a contingent of hospitaller knights at the sacking of Alexandria. Hales was known as the "Hero of Alexandria" thereafter.

Hales was described by the chronicler Walsingham as a "Magnanimous knight, though the commons loved him not".

His brother was Sir Nicholas de Hales, who inherited his father's estates in Kent.

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