Lionel Duckett facts for kids

Lionel Duckett (1511 – August 1587) was a very successful merchant from London, England. He was known as a "merchant adventurer" because he took risks in trade to make money. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1572. He was also the head of the Mercers' Company four times.

Lionel was born in 1511. His parents were William Duckett and Jane Redman. He learned his trade by working for John Colet, a member of the Mercers' Company. In 1537, he officially became a member of the Company.

Building a Fortune

Lionel Duckett became very rich through his trading activities. He invested in several important voyages of exploration.

Supporting Explorers

He helped fund Martin Frobisher's three trips. Frobisher was looking for a new sea route called the Northwest Passage. This passage was believed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Duckett also supported John Hawkins' voyage in 1562. This trip helped create the Africa Company. This company later opened up new trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean.

Buying Land and Property

Lionel Duckett also invested in land. In 1553, he bought land in Surrey, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire. These lands had once belonged to monasteries.

Later, in 1556, he acquired more land in Somerset and Devon. In 1572, he purchased the manor of Calne in Wiltshire. He also owned property in Gloucestershire, Berkshire, and Kent.

Public Service

Lionel Duckett held several important positions in London. These roles showed his influence and importance in the city.

City Roles

In 1565, he served as a Sheriff of London. Sheriffs were important officials who helped manage the city.

The next year, he became the Master of the Mercers' Company. This was a very respected position. He held this role again in 1571, 1577, and 1583.

From 1572 to 1573, Lionel Duckett was the Lord Mayor of London. This was the highest office in the city.

Family Life

Lionel Duckett was married twice during his life.

Marriages and Children

His first wife was Mary Leighton. They had a son named George Duckett, but he did not live long.

On June 29, 1564, he married Jane Baskerville. She was the widow of Humphrey Baskerville. They were married at St Peter, Westcheap. Lionel and Jane had a son named Thomas Duckett (1566–1608).

Lionel Duckett passed away in August 1587. His will, which is a legal document about his property, was officially approved on February 20, 1588. His nephew, Stephen, later took over the manor of Calne.