William Laxton (Lord Mayor of London) facts for kids

Sir William Laxton (born around 1500, died 1556) was an important person in London during the time of King Henry VIII. He served as the Lord Mayor of London and was the head of the Worshipful Company of Grocers eight times. He is also famous for starting Oundle School, a well-known school in England.

Early Life and Career

Sir William Laxton was born in a town called Oundle in Northamptonshire, England, around the year 1500. His father, John Laxton, was a local merchant. William went to the grammar school in Oundle, which was located near St Peter's church.

After school, he moved to London. There, he became an apprentice with the Worshipful Company of Grocers. This was a powerful group of merchants who dealt in spices and other goods. After seven years, in 1519, he finished his training and became a full member. He worked hard and became very successful.

Rising in London's Government

William Laxton quickly moved up in the Grocers' Company. He became a Junior Warden in 1534. In 1536, he was chosen as an Alderman for the Aldersgate area of London. Aldermen were important city leaders. He also served as the Master (head) of the Grocers' Company twice between 1536 and 1539.

In 1540, Sir William Laxton became a Sheriff of London. Sheriffs helped the Lord Mayor keep order in the city. During his time as Sheriff, some big events happened in England, like King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine Howard.

Family Life

Around 1539, William Laxton married Joan Kirkeby. Joan was a widow with at least three children from her first marriage. William did not have any children of his own. However, he welcomed Joan's children into his family as his stepchildren. One of his stepdaughters, Anne, later married a wealthy merchant named William Lane. Another stepdaughter, Joan, married John Machell, who was also an important merchant.

Serving as Lord Mayor

In late 1544, William Laxton was elected Lord Mayor of London. This was a very important job, making him the chief leader of the city. His time as Mayor was quite busy.

Challenges and Knighthood

During his mayoralty, King Henry VIII asked for a special tax called a 'Benevolence' to help pay for his wars. The Mayor and city leaders had to pay first. Sir William Laxton supported the King, and in February 1545, the King thanked him and made him a Knight. This meant he was now called "Sir William Laxton."

A Fair Decision

Sir William Laxton was also involved in the case of Anne Askew. She was a Protestant woman who was questioned about her religious beliefs. Laxton, as the city's leader, questioned her too. He made sure the proper legal steps were followed. Because of this, Anne Askew was found not guilty in June 1545 and was set free. This showed that Laxton believed in fair legal processes.

Protecting London

During his time as Mayor, there were worries about France attacking England. London had to prepare for defense. Sir William Laxton and the other Aldermen worked hard to make sure the city was safe. They organized groups of citizens to guard the city at night.

As his year as Mayor ended, Sir William Laxton was the first person to wear a new chain of office. This chain was given to the city by a former Alderman, Sir John Aleyn.

Later Years and Legacy

After King Henry VIII died in 1547, Sir William Laxton continued to be an important figure. He served three more times as the Master of the Grocers' Company during the reign of King Edward VI.

Death and Funeral

Sir William Laxton died on July 27, 1556. His funeral was a very grand event. Many important people attended, including the Lord Mayor and other city leaders. There were many decorations, music, and a large feast. He was buried in the tomb of another former Lord Mayor, Henry Keble, in St Mary Aldermary church.

Founding Oundle School

One of Sir William Laxton's most lasting contributions was to education. The old grammar school in his hometown of Oundle had closed down. In his will, Sir William left money and property to the Grocers' Company. He asked them to use this money to support a new school in Oundle. This school became known as Laxton Grammar School, which is now called Oundle School. Today, Oundle School is one of the top independent schools in the United Kingdom.

He also left money to build almshouses in Oundle. These were homes for seven poor men, also supported by the Grocers' Company.

Family Connections

As mentioned, Sir William Laxton had no biological children. However, he treated his wife's children as his own. His main heir was his niece, Joan Wanton.

His stepchildren included:

• Nicholas Luddington: He became a successful merchant and governor of the Merchant Adventurers in Antwerp.
• Anne Luddington: She married two important merchants. Her second husband was Sir Thomas Lodge, who later became Lord Mayor of London. Anne was the mother of the famous poet, Thomas Lodge.
• Joan Luddington: She also married two important men. Her first husband was John Machell, a Sheriff of London. Her second husband was Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, a diplomat.

Sir William's wife, Dame Joan Laxton, was a wealthy and influential woman herself. She lived many years after her husband, dying in 1576.