Lawrence Sheriff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lawrence Sheriff
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Drawing depicting Lawrence Sheriff
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| Born | c. 1515–1516 |
| Died | September , 1567 |
| Burial place | Christ Church Greyfriars |
| Occupation | Grocer |
| Known for | Grocer to Elizabeth I, founder of Rugby School |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Sheriff |
Lawrence Sheriff (born around 1515 or 1516 – died September 1567) was an important Tudor merchant and a generous person. He is famous for being the grocer to Queen Elizabeth I. He also started Rugby School through a gift in his will.
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Who Was Lawrence Sheriff?
Not much is known about Lawrence Sheriff's early life. He was likely born in Rugby, Warwickshire, or a nearby village called Brownsover. His father was a farmer, probably an important person in Rugby at that time.
Lawrence probably got his first education from monks. Later, his father arranged for him to become an apprentice to a grocer in London. An apprentice learns a trade by working for an experienced person. After seven years, in 1541, Lawrence became a full grocer in London. This was during the time of King Henry VIII. In 1554, he joined a special London group called the 'Worshipful Company of Grocers'.
Working for the Queen
Lawrence Sheriff became a very successful grocer. He sold goods to many rich and powerful people, including Princess Elizabeth. She later became Queen Elizabeth I in 1558. Lawrence provided "spices and necessaries" to Princess Elizabeth when she was living away from court.
He stayed very loyal to her during this difficult time. After she became Queen in 1559, she approved a special coat of arms for him. This coat of arms had a griffin, which is a mythical creature known for guarding treasures. In 1562, Lawrence and the Queen exchanged gifts. He gave her sugar, ginger, nutmegs, and cinnamon. She gave him a fancy silver salt shaker.
A Successful Merchant
Lawrence lived in a large house in the City of London. Throughout his life, he bought many properties. These included land in Rugby, Brownsover, and London. He became a very wealthy merchant.
He married a woman named Elizabeth. However, they did not have any children. In 1566, he was chosen as the Vice-Warden of the Grocers Company. Sadly, he became ill the next year and died in September 1567.
Founding Rugby School
In his last few months, Lawrence Sheriff wrote his will. A will is a document that says what should happen to a person's money and property after they die. He wanted his money to be used to start almshouses (places for poor people to live) and a school.
He wanted the school to be mainly for children from Rugby and Brownsover. It would also be for children from nearby places. Just before he died, Lawrence changed his will slightly. He left less money for the school. Instead, he left an eight-acre piece of land called Conduit Close.
At the time, this land seemed like a poor choice. It was undeveloped farmland on the edge of London. But over time, this land became very valuable as London grew. This made Rugby School a very wealthy institution. The land he left now includes parts of famous London streets like Great Ormond Street and Lamb's Conduit Street.
Challenges to His Will
It took some time for the school to fully benefit from this gift. Lawrence's relatives, the Howkins family, challenged his will. They argued about the plans he had made.
Lawrence Sheriff's Legacy
Lawrence Sheriff wanted to be buried in St Andrew's Church in Rugby, where his parents were buried. But this did not happen. He was buried at Christ Church Greyfriars in London. Sadly, this church and all its monuments were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Today, Lawrence Sheriff is remembered by the Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby. Both Rugby School and the Lawrence Sheriff School use versions of the coat of arms that Queen Elizabeth I approved for him in 1559.
