Thomas Fitzthomas facts for kids

Thomas Fitzthomas was an important leader in London during the 1200s. He served as the Mayor of London and was a close friend and supporter of Simon de Montfort. During a big conflict called the Second Barons' War, Fitzthomas led a group of people who wanted changes in how London was run. He was later put in prison by King Henry III when the King regained control in 1265.

Early Life and Career

Thomas Fitzthomas was born into a powerful family in London around the 1200s. London was a very large city back then, with about 100,000 people living there. He was part of the Drapers' Guild, which was a group for people who sold cloth.

Becoming a Leader

The city of London was managed by a group of 24 leaders called aldermen. Fitzthomas became an alderman in the 1240s. He also served as a Sheriff for London from 1257 to 1258. In 1261, he was chosen to be the Mayor of London. This important job was later called the Lord Mayor in the 1300s. He lived in a large house in an area of London called Cornhill.

Leading a Revolution

In 1263, a powerful leader named Simon de Montfort marched his army towards London. Thomas Fitzthomas led a popular uprising in the city to support de Montfort and the barons. The barons were a group of nobles who wanted to limit the King's power.

New Ways of Governing

Fitzthomas changed how London was governed. Instead of the usual aldermen, he brought back an old way of ruling called the folkmoot. This was like a big public meeting where people could have more say. He openly supported the Provisions of Oxford. These were new rules that the barons wanted to add to the country's laws.

After the War

In 1265, Simon de Montfort and the barons were defeated at the Battle of Evesham. After this, Fitzthomas was put in prison by Prince Edward, who later became King.

Release and Later Life

Even after being imprisoned, many people in London still liked Fitzthomas. In 1266, some people even asked for him to be made Mayor again. He was finally released from prison in 1268. He had to pay a very large fine of £500, which was a huge amount of money back then. Thomas Fitzthomas passed away around 1276. He had two sons who survived him.