Thomas Skinner (Lord Mayor of London, 1596) facts for kids

Thomas Skinner (died December 30, 1596) was an important person in London during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a leader in the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, which was a group for people who made and sold cloth. He also served as an Alderman in London. An Alderman was a senior member of the city council.

In 1587, he was chosen as Sheriff, a role similar to a chief law enforcement officer. Later, in 1596, he became the Lord Mayor of London, the most important leader of the city. Thomas Skinner was also known for giving money to several hospitals in London.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Skinner was born in 1531. His father was John Skinner, from a place called Saffron Walden in Essex. Thomas Skinner married a woman named Blanche. Her father, William Watson, was a merchant who worked for Queen Elizabeth I.

Serving the Public

In 1588, Thomas Skinner became a Sheriff of London, working alongside John Catcher. When John Catcher had to leave his role as an Alderman because of money problems, Thomas Skinner took his place for the area of Cripplegate. Before this, in 1584, Skinner had been chosen as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.

Disagreement with the Queen

In late 1588, Alderman Skinner had a disagreement with an order from the Queen's Council. He was held for a short time because he was suspected of not contributing his share to a loan the Queen asked for from the City of London.

Becoming Lord Mayor

In 1596, Queen Elizabeth I got involved in who would be the next Lord Mayor. She did not want Henry Billingsley to be chosen. Instead, she wanted Thomas Skinner to take the job. The Aldermen of London wrote to Skinner, asking him to come back to London to discuss becoming Lord Mayor. He agreed and was elected. However, he sadly died on December 30, 1596, while still serving as Lord Mayor.

Challenges During His Time as Mayor

During Skinner's time as Lord Mayor, London faced a difficult period. There was a threat of not having enough food, which is called a famine. Many citizens were very poor. Even though wheat was offered at a fair price, many people could not afford to buy it.

At this time, England was fighting the Anglo-Spanish War. The Queen asked London to provide ten ships to help with the war effort. Earlier that year, Londoners had already sent soldiers to help in the Netherlands. But when the Queen asked for more ships, the City of London had to say no.

The City explained to the Queen's Council that they simply could not afford it. They had already spent a huge amount of money, about £100,000, on sea services in recent years, not including what they spent during the Armada year in 1588. London was in debt by £14,000 and could not give more help to the Queen.

Death and What He Left Behind

When Thomas Skinner died, he left money in his will. He gave £20 to the Clothworkers Company for a dinner after his funeral. He also gave £120 to be shared equally among several hospitals in and around London. He was also a generous supporter of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a university college.

Historian John Stow wrote that Thomas Skinner was buried in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street. A beautiful monument was built to remember him. It said that he died at 65 years old on December 30, 1596, while he was Lord Mayor. He left behind three sons and three daughters.

Two of his sons, John and Thomas, were made knights by King James I in 1603.

See also

• List of Lord Mayors of London
• List of Sheriffs of London