William Hewett (Lord Mayor) facts for kids
Sir William Hewett (born around 1505 – died 1567) was a very important merchant in London during the time of the Tudors. He was one of the first members of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers of London, a powerful trade group. He later became their Master. Sir William was also the first person from his Company to become Lord Mayor of London. He took on this important role in the first year of Queen Elizabeth I's rule. His career spanned the first 40 years of the Clothworkers' Company. It also involved him in major public events of his time.
Contents
Early Life and Career
William Hewett and his brother Thomas (who died in 1576) were born in a small village called Wales. This village is in Laughton-en-le-Morthen, West Riding of Yorkshire. Their father was Edmund Hewett. Their family also had strong ties to the nearby area of Killamarsh. Many of William's cousins, like the sons of Francis Hewett, also joined the Clothworkers' Company in London.
William started his career quickly. He joined the new Guild of the Clothworkers in London. This group was formed in 1528 by King Henry VIII. It combined two older guilds: the Fullers and the Shearmen. William likely learned his trade in one of these older groups. He took on his own apprentice as early as 1529. He became a Junior Warden in the Company in 1531–32. After that, he served on the Company's Court of Assistants. He helped with important tasks like checking accounts.
The Master and His Wife
The Clothworkers' Company gained more importance in 1538. John Tolous, who was a Warden, was chosen to be an Alderman for Tower ward. An Alderman is a senior city official. He was asked to move to a more important Company, but he refused. The Clothworkers then promised to serve the city well. Because of this, their Company was recognized as one of the twelve main Companies of London. This meant their members could become Aldermen, Sheriffs, and even Lord Mayor. Tolous became Master of the Clothworkers in 1538.
William Hewett became First Warden in 1539–40. In 1543, he was elected Master of the Company. In the same year, Tolous became one of the Sheriffs of London. Sir William Bowyer, who was Lord Mayor in 1544, was friends with both Tolous and Hewett.
Around the time he became Master, Hewett married Alice. She was the daughter of Nicholas Leveson. Nicholas was a wealthy merchant and a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. He had been Sheriff of London in 1534–35. Alice's family was very rich and well-known.
William and Alice Hewett had several children. But only one, Anne, born in 1543, lived to be an adult. When Anne was very young, she accidentally fell into the River Thames. This happened from a house near London Bridge. Hewett's apprentice, Edward Osborne, bravely dived in and saved her. Osborne started working for Hewett in 1544 or 1545. He became a free citizen in 1553. This event helped Osborne build his own successful future.
Alderman and Sheriff
William Hewett was elected Alderman for the Vintry ward in September 1550. At first, he did not want to serve. He was even put in Newgate prison until he agreed. This was a bit awkward for the Company, as they had promised to serve the city.
Hewett was among the important merchants asked to sign a document about who would become king after King Edward. King Edward died on July 6, 1553. Lady Jane Grey was announced as Queen on July 10. A very respected former Mayor, Sir Ralph Warren, died the next day. William Hewett then moved to the Candlewick ward and was sworn in as Alderman there on July 18. The next day, Queen Mary was proclaimed Queen.
On September 28, 1553, William Hewett was installed as Sheriff of London. He served with Thomas Offley. Queen Mary's Coronation parade happened on September 30 and October 1. Hewett's loyalty was accepted by the Queen. He received a special grant of arms (a family crest) on November 4, 1553.
In January 1554, news of Wyatt's Rebellion reached London. This was a rebellion against Queen Mary. Sir Thomas White, the Mayor, and the Sheriffs, including Hewett, helped defend the city. They arrested important people and gathered a thousand men to protect London. The rebels were defeated. Hewett and Offley had to carry out their official duties during the difficult times that followed.
Becoming Lord Mayor
William Hewett was very wealthy, which made him suitable for high city office. He ran his business from his home in Philpot Lane and his shop in Cannon Street. He involved many family members in his business. He also bought land in Lincolnshire in 1554.
Yorkshire remained important to him. He was friends with the Earls of Shrewsbury, who were powerful lords in that area. George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, even became a member of the Clothworkers' Company.
Mayoralty: 1559–1560
Hewett finally became Lord Mayor in October 1559. He was the first Lord Mayor appointed during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. He was also the first Clothworker to hold this position. His Sheriffs were Thomas Lodge and Roger Martyn.
On November 8, 1559, the Queen's Council sent him a letter. They asked him to fix many problems in the city. These included controlling how much people spent, stopping people from wearing overly fancy clothes, and preventing inns from serving meat on fast-days. He also had to deal with food and fuel shortages. He was told to find places where illegal games were played. He had to send weekly reports on his progress.
The Mayor also had to oversee important trials. These were for the officers who surrendered Calais to the French in 1558. Hewett presided over the trial of Edward Grymston, who was found not guilty. He also oversaw the trials of Sir Ralph Chamberlain and John Harleston. They were found guilty and sentenced to death, but Sir Ralph later received a royal pardon.
Hewett was made a knight on January 21, 1560. He became Sir William Hewett. He was also appointed President of St Thomas' Hospital in Southwark. He kept this position and his Alderman's role for the rest of his life.
Queen Elizabeth's important changes to her money were some of Hewett's last duties as Mayor. She asked him to mark old silver coins to show their new, lower value. He worked with important people like Sir William Cecil on these changes. In August 1562, Hewett helped judge several people accused of making fake money. Four of them were sentenced to death.
Life as an Alderman
Sir William's mother-in-law, Dionysia Leveson, died in late 1560. She left her large estates to her sons. Sir William Hewett was one of her executors. She was a very influential person and godmother to Anne Hewett.
Anne Hewett, then 17, was still unmarried. She was set to inherit her father's great wealth. Many men wanted to marry her, including George Talbot, who became the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. However, by 1562, Anne married Edward Osborne. Sir William famously said, "Osborn saved her, and Osborn should enjoy her." This story was passed down through the family.
Anne's mother, Dame Alice, died in April 1561. She had a very grand funeral procession. Many people attended, including poor men and women in new clothes, mourners in black, Aldermen, and singing clerks. The procession went to St Martin Orgar church. After a sermon, a dinner was held at their house. Sadly, her monument and most of the church were destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
Sir William remained a social person and enjoyed good food. He was a guest at many important feasts, including those of the Grocers' Company and the Merchant Taylors' Company. He was often seen with other important figures like the Lord Mayor and various Earls.
In 1562, Sir Roger Cholmeley built the free Grammar School at Highgate. This school received its official charters in 1565. William Hewett was one of the six Governors listed in these charters.
In the last two years of Hewett's life, the Clothworkers' Company faced challenges. They were losing money because other merchants were exporting unfinished cloth. This meant less work for the Clothworkers in London. The Company tried to get laws passed to make merchants export more finished cloth. They wanted to ensure their trade continued.
Death and Legacy
Sir William Hewett died on January 25, 1567. He asked to be buried near his wife at St Martin Orgar church. His will showed his strong connections to his Hewett and Leveson relatives. His main beneficiaries were Edward Osborne and Anne, and Henry Hewett (his brother Thomas's son). These four were also his executors.
Henry inherited the "Three Cranes" property. Thomas, who was already wealthy, received a house. The "Crown" property went to Anne, his heir. She also inherited his lands in Wales and the manor of Harthill in Yorkshire. These lands became the main part of the Kiveton Park estates for the future Dukes of Leeds. Another important person who received money was William Hewett, his godson. He received land and money for his education.
Many other family members received gifts in his will. He also gave money to the Clothworkers' Company, the church of St Martin Orgar, and the poor people of Candlewick. He gave money for maidens' marriages and to the poor of Wales and Harthill. He also helped the poor at St Thomas' Hospital and prisoners in Newgate and Ludgate prisons. He even donated lead for a new water supply for the city.
Portrait
A beautiful portrait of Sir William Hewett was once owned by the Dukes of Leeds. After the last Duke's belongings were sold, the portrait was bought by the Georg Schäfer Collection in Germany in 1966. It was thought to be by an artist named Ludger Tom Ring the Younger. Later, experts believed it might be by Anthonis Mor. The portrait was then loaned to the Museum of London. Now, the owner, Mr. Derek Hewett, has generously donated it to the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.
