Elizabeth Wilford facts for kids

Elizabeth Wilford (who died in 1559) was a very successful English businesswoman. She lived in the 1500s, a time when it was unusual for women to run their own businesses. Elizabeth became known for her smart decisions and her important role in a big trading company.

Early Life and Family

Elizabeth Wilford was the daughter of Thomas Gale and Elizabeth Wilkinson. Her father, Thomas, was a member of the Haberdashers' Company. This was a group of merchants who sold small items like needles, thread, and ribbons.

In 1529, Elizabeth married Nicholas Wilford. He was a Merchant Taylor, which meant he was part of a group of merchants who dealt with cloth and clothing. Elizabeth and Nicholas had eleven children together.

Becoming a Businesswoman

Elizabeth's journey into business began when she inherited property. When her father passed away, she received a large house and several smaller shops in London. This gave her a good start with her own assets.

After her husband, Nicholas, died in 1551, Elizabeth took over his business. She inherited all his lands and became very active in trade. She was especially known for importing cloth from other countries. This meant she bought cloth from abroad and brought it into England to sell.

Her Role in the Muscovy Company

One of Elizabeth Wilford's most notable achievements was her involvement with the Muscovy Company. This was a very important English trading company founded in 1555. It was set up to trade with Russia and other northern countries.

When the Muscovy Company was first created, it had 201 founding members. Elizabeth Wilford was one of only two women among them. What made her even more special was that she was the only woman who invested her own money in the company. Other women who were involved usually did so through their husbands. This shows how independent and capable Elizabeth was.

Elizabeth Wilford was a very successful businesswoman. By the time she died in 1559, her wealth was valued at over £1000. This was a very large sum of money in the 1500s, showing just how much she achieved in her lifetime.