Hugh Kayle facts for kids

Hugh Kayle was a skilled goldsmith in London who worked for Elizabeth I, the Queen of England, starting in 1577. He was also known as Hugh Keale or Keall.

His father, John Keale, was also a goldsmith. Hugh helped manage his local church, St Mary Woolnoth, for a couple of years in the 1570s.

Working for Queen Elizabeth I

Hugh Kayle put a special mark on all the silver items he made for the Queen. In 1578, he created a silver basin for the Queen's private rooms.

Making Royal Ruffs

In 1581, Kayle made two special silver sticks for the Queen. These sticks weighed about 4.25 ounces (around 120 grams). They were used to shape and stiffen the Queen's ruffs. Ruffs were large, pleated collars worn around the neck in those times.

Sadly, these silver sticks went missing in 1595. A lady who worked closely with the Queen, Margaret Astley, was held responsible for their disappearance.

Important Partnerships

From 1590, Hugh Kayle worked together with Alderman Richard Martin. Martin was a very important person in London, who later became the Lord Mayor.

Supplying Royal Gifts

In 1591, Kayle and Martin provided silver items that the Queen gave as gifts at several christenings (baby naming ceremonies).

In October 1594, Kayle and Martin received a large payment of £2635 for their work over a year. This money covered many things, including:

• The cost of silver items given to ambassadors from other countries.
• Gifts given out on New Year's Day.
• Repairing the Queen's own silver items.
• Paying other craftspeople who worked on the Queen's special boxes and chests.
• Costs for members of the Goldsmiths' Company who searched for stolen silver.

They continued to receive large payments for their services, getting £2236 in May 1597 and £2377 in 1599.

Appraising Royal Jewels

In October 1600, Hugh Kayle, along with Leonard Bushe and John Spilman, helped Queen Elizabeth. They looked at and valued many old jewels and precious stones from the Tower of London. Then, they sold them for the Queen.

These jewels included pearls that had been sewn onto the Queen's dresses. They also included "Dutch agates" and fake stones.

Kayle's Family

Hugh Kayle had several children. Their names were John, Hugh, Lancelot, Anne, and Rowland.

A Note on Payments

Sometimes, Hugh Kayle had to pay back some of the money he charged Queen Elizabeth. This happened if the gold or silver items he supplied were found to weigh less than they should have.

A historian named Arthur J. Collins noted that Kayle's widow (his wife after he died) made such a payment in 1598. This suggests that Hugh Kayle himself had passed away by then. Any mentions of "Hugh Kayle" after 1598 might refer to his son, who was also named Hugh.