Affabel Partridge facts for kids

Affabel Partridge was a skilled goldsmith in London during the 1500s. He is famous for working for two English queens: Mary I of England and Elizabeth I. People believe he used a special bird symbol as his mark on the beautiful items he created.

Affabel Partridge was set to work improving old royal jewellery for Elizabeth I in 1560

Affabel Partridge lent money to Robert Mabbe on the security of a pub in Southwark called The Tabard

Affabel Partridge: Royal Goldsmith

Starting His Career

Affabel Partridge learned his trade from another goldsmith named Richard Crompton. His workshop was located in a busy part of London called Cheapside, at a place known as "The Black Bull."

On 25 July 1554, which was Queen Mary I's wedding day, she ordered some jewels from the Tower of London to be given to him. This shows he was already a trusted goldsmith.

Working for Queen Elizabeth I

When Elizabeth I became queen, Affabel Partridge and another goldsmith named Robert Brandon became her official goldsmiths. Later, in 1577, Hugh Keall also joined them.

Partridge and Brandon made many gold and silver items for Queen Elizabeth. She often gave these as gifts, especially on New Year's Day. They also fixed and polished the royal tableware. In 1560, they received a large amount of old silver from the Jewel House. Their job was to melt it down and create new, beautiful objects for the queen's use.

Updating Royal Jewels

In July 1560, Queen Elizabeth asked Partridge to repair and update some of her old jewels. These jewels came from the Tower of London. His task was to make them look more modern and suitable for the queen to wear.

The jewels included "fifty tablets of sundry fashion." These were small, decorative pieces, some of which had pomanders inside. Pomanders were small containers that held sweet-smelling substances. He also worked on broken "habiliments," which were jeweled bands worn on the forehead with a French hood. Additionally, he fixed aglets, which are the metal tips found on laces. Partridge made sure the enamel work on these pieces was perfect.

A Poet and a Lender

Affabel Partridge was involved in more than just goldsmithing. In 1568, he took part in a large public lottery. He even wrote a short poem for the event, playing on his own name:

If hawk do soar and partridge springs,

Then shall we see what luck he brings,

But if he soar and partridge flit,

Then hawk shall lose and partridge hit.

Partridge also lent money to people. For example, he lent money to a goldbeater named Robert Mabbe. As security for the loan, Partridge took a share of a famous pub in Southwark called The Tabard.

Affabel Partridge probably passed away in 1583, as his signature appeared on local records for the last time that year. After him, Richard Martin and Hugh Kayle took over as the royal goldsmiths.

Family Life

Affabel Partridge was married three times. His third wife was Denise, who was the widow of John Owtred. Affabel had several children:

• Thomas Partridge
• Ellen Partridge, who married Thomas Berthellet.
• Mary Partridge, whose daughter Jane later married Robert Mabbe, the goldbeater Affabel lent money to.
• Dionyssus Partridge, who married Stephen Mabbe, another goldsmith. Stephen was the son of John Mabbe, who had also worked for Queen Mary I.
• Stephen Partridge, who also became a goldsmith.