John Gawen became one of the leading figures in the county and was closely associated with John Waltham and Baron Lovel, who were both favorites of the king who was also known as Richard of Bordeaux.
He became one of the leading figures in the county, due largely to his close association with John Waltham, Bishop of Salisbury, and later with John, 6th Baron Lovel. Both Waltham and Lovel were favourites of King Richard II, which no doubt contributed to Gawen's powerful local position. Richard II (6 January 1367  c. 14 February 1400), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. 
