William Browne (died 1514) facts for kids

Sir William Browne was an important person in London who lived a long time ago. He was a successful merchant and held many big jobs in the city. He was the head of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, which was a group of powerful merchants. He also served as an alderman, a sheriff, and even the Lord Mayor of London. Sadly, he passed away on June 3, 1514, while he was still serving as Lord Mayor.

Sir William Browne's Family Background

William Browne was the son of Sir John Browne and his second wife, Anne Belwode. His father, Sir John Browne, was also a very important person. He was the Lord Mayor of London in 1480. It seems being a Lord Mayor ran in the family! William's cousin, who was also named Sir William Browne, became Lord Mayor in 1507. William's family came from the northern part of England. In his will, he even left some money to his relatives in Northumberland who weren't as well off.

Sir William Browne's Career and Public Service

William Browne inherited land and property from his father in 1498. He later bought even more land in Essex.

His Role as a Mercer

William was a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. This was a very old and important group of merchants who dealt with valuable fabrics like silk. He was chosen to be the Master (or head) of this Company from 1507 until he passed away in 1514.

Serving the City of London

William Browne held several key positions in the City of London:

• He was a Sheriff in 1504. A Sheriff was like a chief law enforcement officer for the city.
• He was an alderman for Cordwainer Ward from 1505 to 1514. Aldermen were important city council members.
• He worked as an auditor from 1510 to 1512, checking the city's money.
• In 1513, he was elected Lord Mayor of London. This was the highest position in the city government.

As Lord Mayor, he was part of important events. For example, on May 14, 1514, he was there when a special messenger from the Pope gave King Henry VIII a unique sword and cap.

His Final Days

William Browne lived in the area of St Dionis Backchurch. Just a few days before he died, he wrote his will. He asked to be buried in the Mercers' Chapel at Hospital of St Thomas of Acre. However, some historical records say he was buried in a different church, St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street. There was also a special monument to him in the Mercers' Chapel.

Sir William Browne's Marriages and Children

Sir William Browne was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

His first wife was Katherine Shaa. Her father, Sir Edmund Shaa, was also a Lord Mayor of London. William and Katherine had a son and a daughter:

• William Browne (died 1551): He was their eldest son. He married Thomasine, the daughter of Sir Thomas Baldry, who was a Sheriff of London.
• Julian Browne: She married Sir John Mundy, who later became a Lord Mayor of London himself.

Second Marriage

His second wife was Alice Keble (died 1521). Her father, Henry Keble, was also a Lord Mayor of London. William and Alice had two sons and three daughters. We know their birth years because they were written down in a special family book.

• John Browne: He became the Warden of the Mint, which was a very important job in charge of making coins. He married three times and had children from his second and third marriages.
• Matthew Browne: We don't know much about him.
• Anne Browne (1509 – 1582): She married twice. Her second husband was Sir William Petre, a very important government official. They had a son, Sir John Petre, and two daughters.
• Elizabeth Browne: We don't know much about her.
• Another daughter: We don't know her name or much about her.

After Sir William Browne passed away, his second wife Alice married again. Her new husband was William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy. They had a son, Charles Blount, 5th Baron Mountjoy, and a daughter, Katherine Blount.