Sir Roger Martyn (Lord Mayor of London 1567) facts for kids

Sir Roger Martyn (or Martin) was a mercer, which means he was a merchant who traded in valuable fabrics like silk. He became the Lord Mayor of London in 1567 and was also a Sheriff of London in 1559.

Who Was Sir Roger Martyn?

Sir Roger Martyn was an important figure in London during the 1500s. He held significant positions that helped govern the city. As a mercer, he was part of a powerful trade guild, and his roles as Sheriff and Lord Mayor showed his influence in London's government and society.

A Look at His Public Life

As the Lord Mayor of London in 1567, Sir Roger Martyn had many responsibilities. One of these was to serve as a high commissioner. This meant he was part of a special group that investigated important matters, often related to religion or law.

The Plumbers' Hall Examination

In June 1567, Sir Roger Martyn was involved in examining a group of Puritans. Puritans were a group of Protestants who wanted to make the Church of England simpler. They were accused of holding a "conventicle," which was a secret religious meeting. This meeting happened at the Plumbers' Hall.

Other important people present at this examination included the Bishop of London and the Dean of Westminster. Also there was Edmund Bonner, a former Bishop of London known for his strong religious beliefs. The records from this examination are very important. They are some of the earliest writings from Puritans and show how these official investigations were carried out. The documents also give us clues about the Vestments Controversy, which was a disagreement about what clothes (vestments) priests should wear in church.

His Family Life

Sir Roger Martyn was born in Long Melford, Suffolk. His parents were Lawrence Martyn and Elizabeth Cheke. He had a family crest, which is a special symbol for a family.

Sir Roger Martyn was married twice. His first wife was Lettice Martin (née Pakington), who passed away in 1553. His second wife was Elizabeth Martyn (née Castlyn).

Notable Family Members

Sir Roger Martyn had four children with his first wife:

• Humphrey, who married Alice Pullison.
• Edmund, who married Frances Martyn.
• Martha, who married John Castlyn.
• Susan, who married Robert Bye.

With his second wife, he had three more children:

• Mary, who married Alexander Denton in 1573 when she was 15 years old. A famous painting of Mary was made by George Gower to celebrate her marriage, and you can still see it today. In his will, Sir Roger Martyn left Mary and Alexander money to buy nice clothes and other fancy items.
• Joan, who married Anthony Smith.
• Anne, who married Sir Anthony Culpeper.

His son, Humphrey Martyn, was also notable because he was the person to whom the famous Langham Letter was written. This letter is an important historical document.

His Later Years

Sir Roger Martyn passed away in 1573. The exact cause of his death is not known. He was buried in the Church of Saint Anthony in London.