John Shaa facts for kids

Sir John Shaa (also spelled Shaw) was an important London goldsmith who lived around the 1500s. He held many significant jobs, including working at the Royal Mint as an engraver and later as a joint Master of the Mint. He also served as Sheriff and Lord Mayor of London.

During his time as Lord Mayor, Sir John Shaa hosted important visitors. He entertained ambassadors from Scotland and was among the people who welcomed Catherine of Aragon to England. He was even mentioned in a poem by the famous Scottish poet William Dunbar.

Sir John Shaa's Family Background

John Shaa was the son of John Shaa from Rochford, a town in Essex, England. He was also the nephew and later the heir of Sir Edmund Shaa, who was the Lord Mayor of London in 1482. Sir Edmund's own son, Hugh Shaa, had passed away without any male children.

Sir John Shaa also had another uncle named Ralph Shaa. Ralph Shaa was known for giving a sermon at Paul's Cross. In this sermon, he questioned whether the children of King Edward IV, including his heir Edward V, were truly legitimate.

Sir John Shaa had a sister named Elizabeth. She passed away on August 21, 1503. Elizabeth married William Poyntz, an esquire from North Ockendon, Essex. They had four sons and two daughters together.

Sir John Shaa's Career and Public Service

James IV of Scotland, whose ambassadors Sir John Shaa entertained as Lord Mayor

Sir John Shaa was a skilled goldsmith in London. His uncle, Edmund Shaa, who was also a goldsmith, worked as an engraver for the Royal Mint from 1462 to 1483. John Shaa took over this important role after his uncle.

He served as an engraver for several years. Then, on November 20, 1492, he and another goldsmith, Sir Bartholomew Rede, were both appointed as joint Masters of the Mint. This meant they were in charge of making coins for the country.

Sir John Shaa often sold silver and gold items to King Henry VII. Records show these sales in the King's personal spending accounts. On two occasions, he was paid for providing gold knots and roses. These were used for the Order of the Garter, a very important order of knighthood.

He had many financial dealings with King Henry VII. For example, on January 13, 1499, he was paid a large sum of money. This payment was for supplying New Year's gifts and for making and polishing various jewels. He also provided funds for work being done at Windsor Castle.

Catherine of Aragon, whom Sir John Shaa, as Lord Mayor, welcomed to London

In 1495, Sir John Shaa was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City of London. He then became Sheriff of London in 1496-1497. In June 1497, King Henry VII made him a knight. This happened at the foot of London Bridge after the Battle of Blackheath. His fellow Sheriff, Richard Haddon, was also knighted at the same time.

In 1501, Sir John Shaa was elected Lord Mayor of London. During his time as Lord Mayor, ambassadors from Scotland visited London. They came to arrange the marriage of King Henry VII's older daughter, Margaret Tudor, to James IV, the King of Scotland.

Sir John Shaa hosted a grand banquet for these ambassadors in December 1501. At this event, the poet William Dunbar recited verses praising the City of London. These verses included special lines in honor of Sir John Shaa: London, thou art of Townes A per se . . . Thy famous Maire, by pryncely governaunce, With swerd of justice, thee rulith prudently. No Lord of Parys, Venyce, or Floraunce In dignytie or honoure goeth to hym nye. He is exempler, loode-ster, and guye; Principall patrone and roose orygynalle, Above all Maires as maister moost worthy: London, thou art the flour of Cities all.

During Sir John Shaa's time as Lord Mayor, Catherine of Aragon arrived in London. She was coming to marry King Henry VII's oldest son, Arthur, Prince of Wales. Sir John Shaa was part of a group of London officials and members of the livery companies. They were told to meet her ship at Deptford in their barges. They were to greet her in the best way they could.

As Lord Mayor, Sir John Shaa also created a "court of requests" in the City of London. This court aimed to provide fairer justice. However, it became unpopular because some people felt it helped the poor too much, more than what "justice and good law required."

During his term, Sir John Shaa also had a kitchen added to the London Guildhall. He was said to be the first Lord Mayor to hold his feast there. He also started another tradition: the procession from the Guildhall to the state barge. The Lord Mayor would travel on this barge to Westminster to be sworn into office.

Sir John Shaa was chosen to be a Member of Parliament again in 1503. However, Parliament did not meet until January 25, 1504. It is possible he passed away before he could attend. He wrote his will on December 26, 1503, and it was approved on May 14, 1504. He was buried in the Mercers' chapel at the church of St Thomas of Acres.

Sir John Shaa's family symbol, or arms, was a silver shield with a chevron. This chevron had three diamond shapes on it, decorated with an ermine pattern.

Sir John Shaa's Marriage and Children

In 1479, Sir John Shaa married Margaret Ilam. Margaret was the daughter of Thomas Ilam, a London mercer (a merchant who sold fine fabrics), and Jane Verdon. Sir John and Margaret had three sons and several daughters.

Their children included:

• Edmund Shaa of Horndon on the Hill, Essex. He was the oldest son and heir. Edmund married Lora Wentworth. Lora was the daughter of Sir Roger Wentworth and Anne Tyrrell. Edmund and Lora had a daughter named Alice Shaa, who married William Poley.
• Reynold Shaa.
• Thomas Shaa.
• Audrey Shaa (also known as Etheldreda). She married three times. Her first husband was John Writtle, who was Sir John Shaa's ward (someone under his care). Her second husband was William Ayloffe, a lawyer from Lincoln's Inn. Through William, Audrey was the grandmother of William Ayloffe, who became a judge. Her third husband was Sir John Gainsford of Crowhurst, Surrey. With Sir John, she had one son, John Gainsford, who passed away without children. They also had five daughters, including Audrey Gainsford. This younger Audrey married three times as well: first to George Taylor, then to Sir George Harper, and finally to George Carleton.

After Sir John Shaa passed away around 1503, his widow, Margaret (who was born Margaret Ilam), married again. Her second husband was Sir John Raynsford of Colchester and Bradfield Hall, Essex. Margaret and Sir John Raynsford had a daughter named Julian Raynsford. Julian later married Sir William Waldegrave of Smallbridge, Suffolk.

See also

• List of Sheriffs of the City of London
• List of Lord Mayors of London
• City of London (elections to the Parliament of England)