Thomas Aldersey facts for kids
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Thomas Aldersey (born 1521 or 1522 – died December 1598) was an important English merchant. He was also a member of Parliament and someone who gave a lot of money to help others. People at the time said he was one of the "wisest and best merchants in London."
He was especially known for helping Protestant people who had to leave England. He helped them set up safe trading in a place called Emden in Germany. Thomas Aldersey also started a free school in his hometown of Bunbury, in Cheshire.
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Early Life in Bunbury
Thomas Aldersey was born in Bunbury, a village in Cheshire, England. His father, John Aldersey, owned land nearby. His mother was Anne (or Agnes) Bird. The Aldersey family was well-known in Chester during the 1500s.
Thomas was one of several sons. He likely went to school in Bunbury, possibly at a place called the Chantry House.
London Merchant and Politician
In 1541, Thomas Aldersey began to learn the merchant trade in London. He became an apprentice to a merchant named Thomas Bingham. By 1548, he was a full member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. This was a powerful group for merchants who sold small items like needles and thread.
He became a Protestant after hearing religious speakers in London. When Queen Mary I came to power in 1553, it was risky to be a Protestant. Many Protestants left England, going to places like Emden in Germany. Thomas Aldersey helped these people, known as "Marian exiles," to set up new trading businesses. This help earned him the support of important people like William Cecil.
Growing Influence in Trade
With support from William Cecil and his wife's family, Thomas Aldersey became very important among London traders. This happened during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He traded cloth with countries like Germany, the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and Netherlands), Spain, and the Baltic states.
He was a leading member of several trading companies. These included the Company of Haberdashers and the Company of Merchant Adventurers. People respected him for his strong religious beliefs, honesty, and good business sense. They called him one of London's "wisest and best merchants."
Serving in Parliament
From the early 1570s, Thomas Aldersey took on several political jobs in London. He was a council member for his area, Cripplegate. He also checked the city's accounts.
In 1579, he was chosen to be one of the four Members of Parliament (MPs) for London. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government. He was re-elected three times and served until 1592. He worked on many committees in Parliament, mostly dealing with trade.
The government also asked him to investigate trade issues. He looked into claims against Spain and problems like smuggling and rising prices.
Personal Life and Helping Others
Thomas Aldersey lived in Cripplegate, London. In 1554, he married Alice Calthorpe. Her family was also very influential in London. Her brother, Martin Calthorpe, became the Lord Mayor of London in 1589. Thomas and Alice did not have any children.
Thomas Aldersey remained a very religious man throughout his life. He was known for his strong Puritan beliefs later on.
Charitable Work
He spent a lot of time helping people in both London and Cheshire. In London, he was a leader at several hospitals, including Bridewell Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital. He also helped raise money to support students who were struggling financially at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
In Cheshire, he helped fund a water system in Chester in 1582. He also helped organize aid after a big fire in Nantwich in 1583. He collected a lot of money to help rebuild the town.
Founding Bunbury Aldersey School
One of his most important acts was founding a grammar school in his hometown of Bunbury in 1575. A grammar school in those days taught subjects like Latin and Greek. In 1594, it officially became "The Free Grammar School of Thomas Aldersey in Bunbury." Today, it is known as Bunbury Aldersey School.
He gave the school a lot of money and land to support it. He handed it over to the Company of Haberdashers in 1594. This was the first school that this company, which is now a charity focused on education, managed. At the same time, he also provided money to support a preacher and a curate (a church assistant) at the local church in Bunbury.
Thomas Aldersey died in December 1598 in Cheshire. He was buried in Bunbury, as he wished, "without any pomp" (meaning without a big, fancy ceremony). He was a very wealthy man and left a lot of money in his will to help others. He gave money to hospitals and to help people in need in London, Putney, Barking, Bunbury, and Chester. About half of his property went to support his grammar school.
See also
- Laurence Aldersey, an explorer who was related to Thomas Aldersey
