Ambrose Smith facts for kids

Ambrose Smith (who also sometimes used the name Smythe) was an important London merchant who lived in the 1500s. He was a mercer, which means he sold valuable fabrics like silk and velvet. He was known for supplying beautiful materials to Elizabeth I, the Queen of England.

Ambrose Smith was born into a well-known family. His father was John Smith, who owned a grand home called Withcote in Leicestershire, England. A famous historian named John Leland visited their home in 1539 and called it "one of the fairest houses" in the area.

Ambrose had an older brother named Roger. Roger first inherited the family estate at Withcote. However, Ambrose later bought the estate from his brother in 1575.

Supplying the Queen

Ambrose Smith was a successful businessman in London. His main job was selling high-quality fabrics. He supplied many different types of luxurious materials to Queen Elizabeth I. These included velvet, satin, taffeta, and sarsenet. These fabrics would have been used to make the Queen's elaborate gowns and other royal clothing.

Withcote Chapel is a part of the old Smith family estate. The beautiful stained glass windows were ordered by Ambrose Smith's grandmother and her second husband, Roger Ratcliffe.

He also sold fabrics to other important people of the time. These included Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was a close friend of the Queen, and his wife, Amy Robsart. Ambrose Smith died in 1584.

Family Life

Ambrose Smith married a woman named Jane Cooe (or Coe). They had several children together:

• Henry Smith of Withcote: He married Anne Skipwith. Their son, also named Henry Smith, later became a famous figure known as a "regicide" (someone involved in the execution of a king).
• Dorothy Smith: She married four times and had a daughter named Alice Barnham. Alice later married the very famous philosopher and scientist, Francis Bacon.
• Elizabeth Smith: She married Martin Calthorpe, whose father was a Lord Mayor of London.
• Francis Smith: He married Elizabeth Taylor.
• Isabell Smith
• Margaret Smith: She married Thomas Wilkes.
• Sir William Smith: He married Elizabeth Skinner.

Ambrose also had a brother named Erasmus Smith. Erasmus was the father of another famous person, Henry Smith, who was a well-known preacher. Erasmus was also the grandfather of a successful merchant, also named Erasmus Smith.