Thomas Knollys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Knollys
|
|
|---|---|
.svg)
Arms of Knollys
|
|
| Lord Mayor of London | |
| In office 1410–1410 |
|
| Preceded by | Richard Marlowe |
| Succeeded by | Robert Chichele |
| Member of the English Parliament for City of London |
|
| In office October 1416 – 1417 Serving with
|
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1350 |
| Died | 1435 |
| Resting place | St. Antholin's |
Sir Thomas Knollys (who died in 1435) was an important businessman from London, England. He was very active in running the city and even helped the country's government. He became a powerful leader in London, serving as its Lord Mayor twice.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Sir Thomas Knollys was born around the year 1350. For a long time, people thought he was related to a famous soldier named Sir Robert Knollys. However, newer information shows his father was named Richard. Still, Sir Thomas and Sir Robert were very close friends. Sir Robert even chose Thomas to help manage his affairs when he died in 1389.
His Business and Public Service
Before 1387, Sir Thomas became a member of the Grocers' Company. This was a powerful group of merchants in London. He helped lead the company, serving as a warden and then as its master. He even helped pay for their new meeting hall in a place called Poultry.
Sir Thomas also helped rebuild a church called St. Antholin on Watling Street, which was near where he lived. Besides his main work with goods and properties, he became a very important banker. He lent a lot of money to other business people and even to the government.
Leading London
Sir Thomas was a big part of London's local government. By 1393, he was an alderman. An alderman was a senior member of the city council. In 1394, he became the Sheriff of London. The Sheriff was a very important official who helped keep law and order.
He was elected Lord Mayor of London two times! He served as Mayor in 1399 and again in 1410. During his second time as Mayor, he was in charge of rebuilding the Guildhall. This was, and still is, a very important building where the city's government meets.
Working for the King
Sir Thomas also had a few short jobs working for the King. In 1400, he collected taxes on wool that came into London. In 1404, he helped manage the money for the country's wars. In October 1416, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the City of London. This meant he represented London in the country's main government.
His Properties and Family Life
Besides his homes and businesses in London, Sir Thomas bought a large country estate in North Mimms in 1391. He later made it even bigger.
Sir Thomas was buried in St Antholin's church next to his wife. He wrote his will on May 20, 1435, and it was officially approved on July 11, 1435.
He married Joan (who died in 1431) by 1371. They were married for sixty years and had nineteen children! Seven of their children (four sons and three daughters) lived longer than their father. His oldest son, also named Thomas, took over his businesses and properties. Through his younger son Richard, Sir Thomas Knollys was the ancestor of a famous courtier named Sir Francis Knollys.
See also
- Knollys family
- List of Sheriffs of the City of London
- List of Lord Mayors of London
- City of London (elections to the Parliament of England)
