Michael Dormer (lord mayor) facts for kids

Sir Michael Dormer (who died on September 20, 1545) was a very rich businessman. He was a member of the Mercers' Company, which was a powerful group of merchants. He also served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1541, which was like being the main leader of the city.

Michael Dormer's Family

Michael Dormer was the son of Geoffrey Dormer. His father, Geoffrey, was a successful wool merchant from Calais. Michael's mother was Alice Collingridge.

Michael had many brothers and sisters. His father, Geoffrey, had children from two marriages. From his first marriage, Geoffrey had five sons and eight daughters. From his second marriage, with Alice, he had seven sons and five daughters, including Michael.

His Career and Achievements

Michael Dormer was a smart student. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, on a special scholarship. He became very rich as a London Mercer, which meant he traded in fine cloths and goods. He was also involved in the wool trade in Calais.

Michael was very active in both his business company and in running the city of London.

• He was a Sheriff of London from 1529 to 1530. A Sheriff helped keep law and order.
• He was the Master of the Mercers' Company twice, in 1531 and 1545. This was a very important leadership role.
• He served as an Alderman from 1531 until he died in 1545. An Alderman was like a city council member.
• His biggest role was being the Lord Mayor of London in 1541.

Michael Dormer used his wealth to buy several large estates. For example, he bought Long Crendon in 1520. He also bought the manor of Hughenden in 1539. He bought Hughenden from the King after many religious houses were closed during the dissolution of the monasteries.

Helping to Start a School

In 1539, Michael Dormer married Katherine Dallam. Katherine's first husband, Richard Collier, had wanted to start a free school in Horsham, Sussex, where he was born. He had planned for his property to be sold to fund the school if his children passed away without having their own children.

Richard Collier's children died by 1540. So, the Mercers' Company needed Katherine, who was now married to Sir Michael Dormer, to help set up the school. In August 1540, Sir Michael Dormer bought a house and garden near Horsham church for the school. This building was home to The College of Richard Collyer until 1893.

Becoming a Knight

Michael Dormer was given the title of "Sir" after 1538. He was likely knighted during his time as Lord Mayor of London in 1541.

He wrote his will on September 17, 1545. In his will, he left his house in London and large areas of land in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to his wife, his six sons, and his daughter.

Marriages and Children

Sir Michael Dormer was married twice.

His first wife was named Elizabeth Davye. They married before 1505. With Elizabeth, he had six sons: Thomas, William, Geoffrey, John, Ambrose, and Walter. Walter became a cleric, which means he worked for the church. They also had a daughter named Joan. Joan married three times and had children, including two sons named Michael and Amyas with her third husband, Anthony Stapleton.

His second wife was Katherine Dallam. They married on August 21, 1539. Katherine's father, Thomas Dallam, was a leader in the Skinners' Company. Katherine had been married twice before. Her first husband, Richard Collier, was the one who planned to start Collyer's School. Katherine had two children from her first marriage, George and Dorothy. She did not have any children with Sir Michael Dormer.

Sir Michael Dormer passed away in 1545. He was buried at St Lawrence Jewry Church. Katherine lived for many more years and was buried in 1563.