Robert Brandon facts for kids
Robert Brandon (died 30 May 1591) was an English goldsmith and jeweller who worked for Queen Elizabeth I of England. He was an important member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, a group for goldsmiths in London. In 1583, Brandon was chosen to be the Chamberlain of London, which was like the treasurer for the City of London. He held this important job until he passed away in 1591.
Contents
Robert Brandon's Life and Work
Becoming a Royal Goldsmith
Robert Brandon became a full member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths on February 3, 1548. He paid a fee to join this group, which was one of the many craft guilds in London. These guilds were like clubs for people who did the same kind of work.
By May 5, 1561, he became a "liveryman," a higher rank in the Goldsmiths' Company. From 1582 to 1583, he was the Prime Warden, which meant he was the leader of the company.
Brandon was one of two royal goldsmiths for Queen Elizabeth I from about 1558 to 1580. Royal goldsmiths were often chosen for their money skills, not just for making things. They often helped other goldsmiths with their business. As a royal goldsmith, Brandon made or provided gold chains, cups, bowls, and other fancy items made of gold or silver. These were often given as New Year's gifts by the Queen to people in her court or to leaders from other countries.
Serving as Chamberlain of London
On January 8, 1583, Brandon was elected as the Chamberlain, or treasurer, for the City of London. He worked in this role until his death in 1591. The Chamberlain was a very important position, second only to the recorder in the city government.
The Chamberlain had many jobs, including:
- Signing up young people as apprentices to learn a trade.
- Allowing new members to join the city as "freemen."
- Keeping safe the money and belongings of children whose parents had died (called orphans).
- Managing and taking care of the city's buildings and lands.
The Chamberlain also reported on money collected from rents and leases for city properties. He also reported on money spent to repair these properties. In the 1500s, the Chamberlain was personally responsible for making sure the city's money was healthy. The city's financial records were set up to show if the Chamberlain owed the city money.
Towards the end of Brandon's time as Chamberlain, there were some worries about the city's money. People were especially concerned about how city lands were managed. Even though he was never officially accused of anything, Brandon felt he needed to defend himself. In his will, which he wrote three weeks before he died in 1591, he stated:
I certify and make known to my said executors and overseer, and to all others to whom the same may appertain, and desire them to take knowledge for a certain truth, whatsoever rumours may be blazed abroad to the contrary that touching my state accounts and reckonings appertaining to mine office of chamberlainship of the city of London I stand clear without any just cause of accusation and so I am well assured I shall do unto the end.
This means he wanted everyone to know that he believed his financial records were clear and correct.
Family Life
Robert Brandon was married two times.
- First, he married Katherine Barber in 1548. She passed away in 1574. They had several children, including:
- Alice Brandon (1556–1611), who married Nicholas Hilliard on July 15, 1576. Hilliard later became a famous goldsmith and artist who painted tiny portraits for the Queen. Hilliard had learned his skills from Brandon as an apprentice in the 1560s.
- Mary Brandon (born 1566), who married Captain John Martin on May 23, 1586. John Martin's father was also a member of the Goldsmiths' Company and later became the Lord Mayor of London. John Martin was a captain on a ship that sailed with Sir Francis Drake. Later, in 1607, John Martin became a leader in the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, America. He owned a large piece of land called Lower Brandon Plantation, which was likely named after his wife's family.
- Second, he married Elizabeth Osborne, who passed away in 1588. She was a widow before marrying Brandon. They had one child together:
- Lucy Brandon (died 1652), who married Sir Richard Reynell. Richard Reynell built a large house called Forde House in Devon, England. There is a statue of Lucy lying down next to her husband in the Wolborough church. A book was written about Lucy in 1654, which talked about her strict way of life and her good deeds. She was known for her charity work, including building almshouses in 1640. These were special houses for poor people, and similar houses still exist today in Newton Abbot.
Death
Robert Brandon died in London on May 30, 1591. He was survived by one son, Edward, five daughters from his first marriage, and Lucy, his daughter from his second marriage.
See also
