Dates	~1530-1557
Lived at	Ridgeacre, Halesowen
Father	John Hodgetts of Handsworth
Mother	Not known
Spouse	Margery
Children	Nicholas Hodgetts ~1551-1593 John Hodgetts ~1553-1621 Ann Hodgetts b~1555 Johann b1557

Thomas was only a child when Henry VIII broke with Rome and dissolved the monasteries. As well as immense social and political upheaval, this caused a significant movement of people as monastery lands were broken up. The lands of Halesowen Abbey were granted to the king’s friend, John Dudley, who had already gained Dudley castle from his cousin (John Sutton) with the help of Thomas Cromwell. Dudley tenanted out the abbey lands including the village of Ridgeacre.

When Henry VIII died, it was John Dudley who led the government for Henry’s teenage son Edward VI.

As an adult, Thomas Hodgetts moved to Ridgeacre, 9km from his family at Handsworth. While many citizens secretly remained Catholic, there is some evidence Thomas turned Protestant so the hollow shell of the abandoned Abbey would not have offended him. Indeed, he and Margery may have been among the locals who recycled its stone to build their homes.

Thomas was a blacksmith and important in the village. Working at his forge, he would have made tools, cutlery, doorknobs, locks, and keys as well as horseshoes. Like many locals, he combined his metal work with farming. He also had income from some land.

In 1553, the dying King Edward named his successor as his cousin (Lady Jane Grey) to keep his Catholic half-sister (Mary) from the throne. Lady Jane was the daughter-in-law of John Dudley who was determined to secure the throne for her.

It’s quite likely Thomas Hodgetts produced weapons and armour for Dudley’s campaign. Thomas owned a bill, dagger, bow and arrows himself, so it is possible he accompanied Dudley’s troops as a blacksmith.

Princess Mary would not give up without a fight and Jane reigned just nine days before Mary swept to power. As the reign of Bloody Mary began, John Dudley was executed, and Catholicism restored.

If Thomas and Margery Hodgetts were Protestant, this was bad news, but worse was to come. In 1557, they had three young children and were expecting a fourth when Thomas died. If he had lived just one more year, he would have seen England restored to Protestantism under Queen Elizabeth I.

Next: John Hodgetts of Ridgeacre