Thomas Andrewes facts for kids

Sir Thomas Andrewes (who died in 1659) was a wealthy London businessman. He supported the Parliament's side during the English Civil Wars. He was also one of the judges at the trial of King Charles I. Later, as the Lord Mayor of London, he helped keep the city peaceful during another part of the Civil War. He supported Oliver Cromwell when England was a republic (a time called the Interregnum). Cromwell even made him a knight in 1657. It's important not to confuse him with another Thomas Andrewes, who was more involved with the British East India Company.

Early Life and Business

Thomas Andrewes grew up in a family of merchants. In the 1620s, he followed his father, Robert, into trading with the Plymouth Colony in America. By the 1630s, he was trading with other New England colonies.

A Successful Draper

Andrewes was a member of the Leathersellers' Company, which was a guild for people who worked with leather. However, he ran a very successful business selling linen cloth. His shop, called the White Lion, was on Fish Street Hill in London.

Becoming Wealthy

By the late 1630s, Andrewes had become the master of his guild. He had earned enough money to invest in a special business. This business involved "farming customs," which meant his group paid the King a set amount of money. In return, they got to collect taxes from people who owed money to the King. This was a risky but potentially very profitable way to make money.

Religious Beliefs

Andrewes was a strong Puritan, a type of Protestant Christian. In the late 1630s, he even traveled to Rotterdam to join the church of Sidrach Simpson. When Simpson returned to London, his church group first met at Andrewes' own house.

Supporting Parliament in the Civil War

In the 1640s, Andrewes continued to grow his businesses, especially in international trade. He traded with places in the Caribbean and even helped fund trading trips to West Africa.

London's Defense

When the Civil War began in 1642, Andrewes became part of a committee. This group was in charge of London's local army, called the militia. These soldiers were ready to defend London against the King's supporters, known as the Cavaliers. Andrewes also became an Alderman (a senior city official) and a Sheriff of London in 1642.

Financial Support for Parliament

Because he was so successful, Andrewes was able to lend large amounts of money to Parliament. This money helped Parliament pay for the war. He also took on many important financial roles for the army and Parliament between 1642 and 1645. For example, he became a commissioner for customs (taxes on goods) in 1643. In 1645, he became one of the main treasurers for the war effort. These jobs were very profitable for him. He also bought land that Parliament had taken from bishops, which helped him gain more wealth and social standing.

Supporting the New Model Army

In 1647, Andrewes joined a new committee for the militia. This group worked with the New Model Army, which was Parliament's main army. In 1648, he supported important actions taken by the army's leaders, like Pride's Purge. This event removed members of Parliament who did not support the army's goals.

Role in the King's Trial and Republic

Andrewes was one of the judges at the trial of King Charles I in January 1649. He attended the trial several times. On January 27, he stood up with the other judges to agree to the King's death sentence. Although he didn't sign the official order, he was present when King Charles I was executed on January 30, 1649.

Proclaiming the Republic

In March 1649, the Rump Parliament (the part of Parliament that remained after Pride's Purge) passed a law to get rid of the King's office. Andrewes was given the job of announcing this big change in the City of London.

Lord Mayor of London

In April 1649, Andrewes became the Lord Mayor of London. He took over from Abraham Reynardson, who supported the King and had been removed from his position. Andrewes served as Lord Mayor until October of that year. After a year, he was chosen again for the term 1650–1651. During his second time as Lord Mayor, he did a great job keeping London calm. This was very important for the new republic, as it prevented any new support for King Charles II during the Third English Civil War.

Supporting Oliver Cromwell

Some older records suggest Andrewes disagreed with Oliver Cromwell when Cromwell became Lord Protector (England's leader). However, more recent historical research shows that Andrewes was a strong supporter of Cromwell and the idea of a republic. Cromwell even made him a knight in 1657.

Later Life and Death

Andrewes continued to have a successful business career in the 1650s. In 1657, he became a deputy governor of the East India Company, a powerful trading company. He might have even been its governor in 1659. He also bought more properties that had been taken by Parliament, including Mucking Hall in Essex.

There are no records of exactly where or when he died. However, he was buried on August 20, 1659. A year later, the political situation in England changed completely. The monarchy was brought back, a time known as the Restoration.

After the Restoration

Because Andrewes had been a judge at King Charles I's trial, his property was taken by the state after the Restoration. If he had lived to see the King return, he would have faced serious punishment. He might have even been put to death or spent the rest of his life in prison.

Family Life

Thomas Andrewes was the son of Robert Andrewes and Margaret. His father, Robert, was a merchant from Plymouth and an early investor in the Massachusetts Bay Company. Thomas married Eleanor Bonwick, from Surrey. They had several children, and five of them (four sons and one daughter) lived longer than their parents.