William Robinson (1534–1616) facts for kids

William Robinson was an important person in the city of York, England, a long time ago. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for York. He was an MP twice: first from 1584 to 1586, and again from 1588 to 1593.

William Robinson's Life and Family

William Robinson was born in the year 1522. He lived a long life, passing away in 1616 in York. He was buried at St Crux church in York.

His Marriages and Children

William Robinson was married twice. His first wife was Isabel Redman. She was the sister of John Redman from Fullforth. Isabel and William had four children together: two sons named Thomas and William, and two daughters named Frances and Jane.

Their daughter Frances married a man named Robert Harrison, who was an important official in York. Their other daughter, Jane, was married twice. Her first husband was Richard Herbert, a merchant from York. Later, she married Robert Corney, who was a medical doctor.

William's son, Thomas, never married and died in 1625. His other son, William, married Margaret Jenkins in 1599. Margaret was the sister of Sir Henry Jenkins.

Isabel, William's first wife, died in 1590. She was buried at St. Crux in York. After her death, William married his second wife, Frances. Frances was the daughter of Thomas Harrison, another merchant from York.

William Robinson's Career in York

William Robinson was a very successful merchant. He mainly traded goods with countries in the region of Denmark and Sweden. This area was known as the Sound. Before settling in York, he lived in Hamburg, Germany, for several years while working as a merchant.

Becoming a Citizen and Holding Office

Around the year 1558, William became a "freeman" of the city of York. This meant he had special rights as a citizen. He held many important jobs in the city government.

• He was a chamberlain from 1563 to 1564. A chamberlain managed the city's money.
• He served as a sheriff twice: from 1568 to 1569, and again from 1607 to 1608. A sheriff helped keep law and order.
• He became an alderman and later the Lord Mayor of York. He was Lord Mayor twice: from 1581 to 1582, and again from 1594 to 1595. As an alderman, he represented the area of St Crux.

Serving in Parliament

William was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for York on two occasions. He represented the city in the Parliament of England. His first term was from 1584 to 1586. His second term was from 1588 to 1593. Records show that he sometimes had disagreements with other merchants in the city.

William Robinson's Wealth and Legacy

When William Robinson died in 1616, his will showed how wealthy he was. A will is a legal document that says how a person's property should be shared after they die.

Properties and Gifts

His will mentioned several properties he owned in York. These included:

• An inn called "Sign of the Panyers" in Walmgate.
• Houses in St Saviourgate and Hungate.
• Orchards in Aldwark and Hungate.
• Land on Bootham Common.

William also left gifts to the city of York. He gave eighty pounds (a large sum of money at the time) and a silver bowl. He also gave forty pounds to the Merchants Company, which was a group of traders.