Martin Bowes facts for kids
Sir Martin Bowes (1496/97 – 1566) was a very important leader in London during the time of the Tudor kings and queens. He served under Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.
Born in York, Bowes moved to London and became an apprentice. He built his career at the Royal Mint, which is where coins are made. He was a master-worker and under-treasurer there. He even helped carry out a plan to reduce the value of English money, which was a big financial change during Henry VIII's later years.
Bowes was a lifelong member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, a powerful group of goldsmiths. He was chosen as their leader many times. He became a Sheriff of London in 1540-1541 and then Lord Mayor of London from 1545–46. He was the last full-term mayor during Henry VIII's reign.
He managed to stay in power through many changes in the country's religious rules. During his time as mayor, a Protestant woman named Anne Askew was questioned and found guilty of not following the official church beliefs. She was executed in 1546.
Bowes also served as a Member of Parliament for the City of London several times between 1547 and 1559. Queen Mary, who was Catholic, relied on London's stability and wealth. Bowes was flexible in his religious views, helped reform London's hospitals, and gave money to good causes. He was a key figure who guided London through a time of big changes.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Martin Bowes came from a family that was well-known in York. His ancestors had been important citizens there, with some even serving as Lord Mayor of York. For example, William Bowes the elder was Lord Mayor in 1417 and 1428. Martin Bowes was supposedly born in his family's old timber house in Peaseholme Green, York.
When Martin Bowes was 14, in 1511, he moved to London. He was an apprentice to Robert Amadas, a goldsmith and citizen of London. Amadas was also a deputy at the Royal Mint and in charge of the King's jewels. This path was similar to an earlier Thomas Bowes, also from York, who had worked at the London Mint.
The Goldsmiths' Company had many famous members. Martin Bowes became a full member of the Goldsmiths in 1524 or 1525.
Working for King Henry VIII
The London Mint
In 1526, Martin Bowes was already married to Cecily Eliott. His master, Robert Amadas, made Bowes his deputy at the Royal Mint. Bowes became one of the main master-workers there. These master-workers shared the Mint's profits.
At first, the official payments to the master-workers were much lower than they used to be. So, they found ways to make more money from the Mint. In 1530, the Treasurer, Lord Mountjoy, tried to make Bowes and another deputy, Ralph Rowlett, explain their accounts. But they fought back. By 1533, Amadas had died, and Bowes and Rowlett became the joint Masters of the Mint.
Civic Roles
Bowes also became more important in London's government. He served as a leader in the Goldsmiths' Company several times. In 1536, he became an alderman for the Aldgate ward. An alderman was a senior member of the city council. He asked not to be a Sheriff for three years, and his request was granted.
His position as alderman made him very important within the Goldsmiths' Company. He served his first term as Prime Warden, which is the top leader, in 1537–38. He built a grand house in Lombard Street, near the church of St Mary Woolnoth. This house was known for its beautiful front. In 1539/40, he gained control over who could be the priest at St Mary Woolnoth church.
Family and Property
Bowes's first wife, Cicely, died and was buried at St Mary Woolnoth. They had two or three sons. By 1538, Bowes married Anne Barrett. They had several more children, including Joan (1541), Francis (1542), William (1543/44), another Francis (1545), Charity (1548), and Henry (1550). Sadly, some of his children died young.
During the 1530s, Bowes started buying large pieces of land in Kent. He owned land at Plumstead and Bostall. He also gained control of the manor of North Ash and the manor of Halywell.
Sheriff of London (1540-1541)
In 1540, Bowes became Sheriff of London with William Laxton. Being a Sheriff meant overseeing executions. Although some major executions happened before they took office, Bowes and Laxton were present at the execution of Lord Dacre in 1541. They also saw the executions of the Countess of Salisbury and Lord Leonard Gray. During this year, Bowes was made a knight.
He served as Upper Warden of the Goldsmiths again from 1540–1542. In 1542, his sons Thomas and Martyn Bowes joined the company. Both sons got married on the same day in 1544 at St Mary Woolnoth.
Coinage Changes
Under King Henry VIII, the Crown didn't manage the Mints as closely as before. This meant the master-workers, like Bowes, had more control. Investigations in 1544 showed that Bowes and Ralph Rowlett had secretly reduced the silver content in coins. Even though thousands of pounds were missing, Bowes was not punished.
From 1542/43 onwards, official documents allowed Bowes and his team to intentionally reduce the metal content in coins. This was done because too much good English money was leaving the country.
Bowes became even more powerful in the Mint. He was promoted to under-treasurer in March 1544 and kept control of the Tower Mint. He was in charge of the "authorized" debasement of English money. Between 1544 and 1551, the Tower Mint under Bowes produced a huge amount of silver and gold coins. He was responsible for about a quarter of the debased testoon coins, turning good silver into more coins with less silver. He generated about a third of the Crown's profits from this debasement.
Lord Mayor (1545-1546)
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Sir Martin Bowes became Lord Mayor of London after Sir William Laxton in 1545. This was the first time the new gold mayoral chain, given by Sir John Alleyn, was worn. June 1546 was a very busy month for Bowes. He worried about food shortages, so he had a lot of corn brought into London from other countries. The King also needed the city to buy a large amount of barley and rye for his wars. Bowes had to raise a lot of money and use every mill near the city to grind the grain.
In 1546, Bowes bought more land in Kent, including the manor of North Cray and Ruxley.
Peace Proclamation
On June 13, 1546, a special peace treaty was announced in London. There was a huge ceremony at St Paul's, where the Mayor was very important. There was a big procession through the city, with fires in the streets and banquets. Wine, beer, and spiced bread were given out to people outside the Lord Mayor's house. The next day, Bowes hosted a grand feast for French leaders. At this feast, Bowes showed his authority by choosing the next Sheriff.
Midsummer Watch
The city council had stopped the Midsummer Watch parade, but Sir Martin Bowes brought it back at his own expense. On Midsummer Eve, he rode through the city with many constables carrying lights. His servants wore yellow satin, and he had a grand procession. It was a beautiful sight.
Anne Askew
On June 18, 1546, Anne Askew, a Protestant woman, was brought to the Guildhall again. She was accused of not following the official church beliefs. Sir Martin Bowes led the group of judges. She had been found innocent the year before, but she continued to express her beliefs. She was taken to the Tower of London and questioned, then executed on July 17. She did not believe that God was truly present in the bread used in the church service, which was against the law at the time. The city leaders were responsible for carrying out the sentence.
Helping Hospitals
As Lord Mayor, Martin Bowes put a tax on Londoners to bring fresh water from Hackney and Finsbury. He also worked with the King to buy St Bartholomew's Hospital and the former London Greyfriars monastery. His goal was to rebuild St Bartholomew's as a hospital and create Christ's Hospital on the Greyfriars site.
He was replaced as Mayor in Michaelmas 1546. The King officially granted these sites to the Mayor and citizens on December 27, 1546. These were some of the King's last actions. After Henry VIII died in January 1547, Bowes was part of the procession that carried his body from London to Windsor.
Important Figure in Edward VI and Mary I's Reigns
Bowes remained an alderman for the Langbourn ward for twenty more years. When Edward VI became king, Bowes was chosen as one of London's Members of Parliament in 1547 and again in 1553.
Religious Changes
Bowes played a part in the removal of religious images and practices that were seen as "superstitious" at the time. In 1547, he was told to break up the Goldsmiths' Company's image of their patron saint, St Dunstan, and sell it. He also had a special cup with St Dunstan's image on it broken down.
In September 1549, he gave the City of York a beautiful ceremonial sword. He used this chance to remember his childhood there. This sword is still kept by the mayor of York today. His time as under-treasurer of the Tower Mint ended in January 1551. He paid £10,000 to balance his accounts but was given a lifelong pension of £200 a year. The policy of debasing coins was then stopped.
Hospital Foundations
Bowes was appointed Treasurer of St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1547. To fund his hospital projects, he had the tombs at the Greyfriars monastery searched for stone and metal. In October 1552, Sir Martin Bowes and Sir Andrew Judd led a big meeting of hospital governors at Christ's Hospital. He also led a group, including Bishop Ridley, to ask the King to use Bridewell Palace to help homeless and poor people. King Edward VI's official charter for the hospitals of Christ, Bridewell, and St Thomas was issued on June 26, 1553.
John Stow, a historian, wrote about how 400 poor children were admitted to Christ Church Hospital in November 1552. He also described how many monuments at the Greyfriars were destroyed. He noted that 140 marble gravestones were sold for about £50 by Sir Martin Bowes.
During the time when Queen Mary was taking the throne in 1553, Bowes warned the Goldsmiths not to get involved in the Queen's affairs.
A Public Funeral
In late 1553, after Queen Mary became queen, Dame Anne Bowes, Sir Martin's wife, died. She had a grand public funeral on October 22. The house, street, and church of St Mary Woolnoth were decorated with black cloth and family symbols. A procession of 100 people, the Lord Mayor, and many other important figures attended.
Later Life and Beliefs
Bowes continued to serve as a Member of Parliament for London in 1554 and 1555. Dame Anne had left him with several children. In 1554, he married Elizabeth Harlow, a widow. She had sons, including Henry Billingsley, who later became Lord Mayor of London. Sir Martin and Elizabeth had at least one son, William, born in 1556.
From 1553, Bowes had his longest term as Upper Warden of the Goldsmiths, serving for many years. He seemed to adapt well to the changing religious policies. In 1556, he paid to have the rood (a cross with figures) in St Mary Woolnoth church painted and gilded. He also gave a special cloth for the church service. In 1557, he wrote to the leaders of York, thanking them for approving his plan to create a special fund for a priest at St Cuthbert's church in Peaseholme.
In 1557, at a meeting of hospital governors, it was decided that St Bartholomew's Hospital should be joined with the others. Sir Martin Bowes was made Controller General for the hospitals, and Sir Andrew Judd was Surveyor General. The rules for running the hospitals, created by Bowes and Sir Rowland Hill, were read and put into action.
Elizabethan Era
In 1558, Martin Bowes began his last four-year term as Upper Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. After Queen Mary died in November 1558, he was called to the first Parliament of Queen Elizabeth I's reign in 1559. This Parliament passed new laws to re-establish a Protestant church in England. This was Bowes's last time serving in Parliament.
St Mary Woolnoth Church
Soon after Elizabeth became queen, changes were made at St Mary Woolnoth church. The roodloft (a screen with a cross) was removed, and its wood was given to the Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals. Old church items like brass candlesticks and Latin service books were sold. A table with the Ten Commandments was put up. In 1562, old organ pipes were sold. These changes were part of updating the church, not destroying it.
In 1561, Bowes wrote to the leaders of York again. Since his plan for a special fund for a priest was no longer possible, he asked them to use his £60 gift to help the poor instead, which they agreed to do.
Gifts and Civic Life
In his final years, Bowes remained a key figure as an alderman, Controller-General of the Hospitals, and Upper Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. In 1560, he gave the Goldsmiths' Company four beautiful garlands for choosing their leaders. He also gave them a magnificent silver-gilt cup, known as the "Bowes Cup." This cup is still owned by the company today and is a very important piece. It is believed to be a "Coronation Cup," used by the monarch during their coronation feast and then given to the Lord Mayor.
Bowes was involved in many important city events. He was present at feasts of other powerful companies, like the Grocers' and Merchant Taylors'. He also sat as a judge in the Guildhall for serious cases, such as men accused of forging coins.
Charitable Gifts
Bowes planned many charitable gifts to be managed by the Goldsmiths' Company after his death.
The "Remembrance"
Through a trustee, William Southwood, Bowes left properties to the Goldsmiths' Company. This money was to pay for an annual sermon at St Mary Woolnoth church, called "Sir Martin Bowes's Remembrance." The preacher, the company leaders, and others would receive small payments.
Also, one poor person, called "Sir Martin Bowes's almsman," was to be supported forever at Goldsmiths' Hall. They would receive weekly money and a new blue gown every three years. The church of St Mary Woolnoth would receive money to give bread to twelve poor people every Sunday and for church repairs. Two pounds a year would also go to churches in Woolwich and North Cray for distributing bread.
Langbourn Ward Tax Relief
Another trustee, Roger Mundie, received property from Bowes. This property's rent was meant to help pay for a special tax called "fifteenths" for the poor people of Langbourn ward, where Bowes was an alderman. This would ease their financial burden.
Almshouses in Woolwich
On September 28, 1560, Bowes gave five houses with gardens in Woolwich to trustees. These houses were for five poor people from Woolwich, over 50 years old, to live in for free. If there were no poor people from Woolwich, then poor members of the Goldsmiths' Company could live there. The Goldsmiths' Company managed these houses. In his will, Bowes said that each person living in the almshouses should receive a yearly payment. A sermon was also to be preached at Woolwich church during the company's annual inspection.
Bowes also gave £600 to the mayor and people of York for good causes. He asked for a St Martin's Day sermon at St Cuthbert's church. It became a custom for the mayor and aldermen to attend the sermon and then give money to the poor.
Death and Burial
Sir Martin Bowes died on August 4, 1566. He was buried on August 19 in a vault at St Mary Woolnoth church. His tomb, which no longer exists, was described as a beautiful marble tomb under the Communion Table. It stated that he was buried with his three wives, Cicely, Anne, and Elizabeth.
However, his third wife, Elizabeth, was still alive and remarried in 1567. She lived until 1586, when she was also buried in Sir Martin Bowes's vault.
His will, finalized in August 1565, included instructions for many hour-long sermons to be preached by certain clergymen. He left his properties to his children and grandchildren. He also left money for funeral feasts, for poor prisoners, for gowns for poor men, for poor maidens' marriages, and for mending roads.
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Debased testoon 1544–1547
