Nicholas de Farndone facts for kids
Nicholas de Farndone (sometimes called Farindone or Farrington) was an important person in London during the 1300s. He was a skilled goldsmith, meaning he worked with gold. He was also a politician and served as the Mayor of London four different times.
Nicholas was born with the name Nicholas le Fevre. He changed his last name to Farndone after he married Isabella. Her father, William de Farndone, was also a goldsmith and a leader in London.
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Nicholas's Life and Work
Nicholas followed in his father-in-law's footsteps. He became a goldsmith himself. In 1293, he took over William de Farndone's role as an alderman for a part of London called Farringdon Within. An alderman was like a local council member.
Serving as Mayor of London
Nicholas de Farndone was chosen to be the Mayor of London several times. He served in 1308, 1313, 1320, and 1323. Being mayor was a very important job, like leading the whole city.
Football Ban in London
During his second time as mayor, Nicholas made an interesting rule. On behalf of King Edward II, he banned the game of football. This old game was an early version of modern soccer and rugby. The reason for the ban was that the game caused a lot of noise and trouble in the city.
Member of Parliament
Nicholas was also elected to be a Member of Parliament for the City of London. This meant he helped represent London in the country's government. He was elected in 1312, 1313, 1320, and 1321.
Later Life and Family
Nicholas de Farndone passed away in 1334. He did not have any sons. He left his alderman role to Sir John de Pulteney, who was the Mayor of London at that time.
Nicholas and Isabella had a daughter named Roysia. Roysia married twice. With her first husband, Robert Convers, she had two children: Nicholas (who died in 1361) and Katherine. With her second husband, David de Cotesbrok, she had a son named Thomas.
In 1361, a special place for prayers, called a chantry, was set up at St Peter, Westcheap. This was done for Nicholas de Farndone and his daughter Roysia, as requested in his grandson Nicholas's will.
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