William Watson (merchant) facts for kids

William Watson (who passed away on November 20, 1559) was an English merchant and shipowner. He lived in London during the reigns of several famous English monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. From 1538 to 1559, he worked as a special agent for the royal family in the Baltic region. His main job was to get important supplies like masts (tall poles for ships) and ropes for the English navy.

Early Life and Family

William Watson was born in Shropshire, a county in England. His father's name was John Watson. William had two brothers, Richard and Roger, and two sisters, Blanche and Elizabeth.

William Watson's Career

William Watson was a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. This was a group (like a guild) for people who worked with cloth.

Becoming a Royal Agent

In 1538, William Watson was chosen to be a royal purchasing agent in the Baltic region. This meant he bought things for the King and Queen. He had already been a merchant trading in the Baltic area since at least 1531. His brothers, Richard and Roger, often helped him with his work.

Trading and Special Requests

In 1544, William Watson wrote a letter to Albert, Duke of Prussia. In his letter, William mentioned that his brother Richard had asked him to send some English dogs to the Duke. William had ordered the dogs and put them on a ship. He also offered to find special court dresses or fabric for the Duke.

William's brother, Roger, lived in Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) and helped William with his business there. Roger married Margarethe von Schwarzwald, whose father was an important alderman (a city official) in Danzig.

Helping the English Fleet

William Watson played an important role in helping the English navy. In 1546, he helped Henry VIII make a deal with the city council of Danzig. This deal allowed England to buy masts, ropes, and other important supplies for their ships.

Later, in 1558, Mary I (another English queen) worked with the King of Poland, Sigismund II Augustus. They arranged for William Watson to export essential materials for the English fleet from Danzig without having to pay customs duty (a type of tax). This made it easier and cheaper to get supplies.

After William Watson, John Borthwick briefly took over as the Crown agent in Danzig in 1560. Then, from 1561, Thomas Allen, a leather merchant from London, took on the role.

William Watson's Marriages and Children

William Watson was married three times during his life.

First Marriage

His first wife is not known by name. They had one daughter:

• Barbara, who married Thomas Haselfoote.

Second Marriage

His second wife was Jane Stanney, who passed away around 1547. With Jane, William had one son and two daughters:

• John (who died in 1574).
• Blanche (who died in 1593). She married three times: first to Dunstan Walton, then to John Lambert, and finally to Thomas Skinner. Thomas Skinner was an important person who became the Lord Mayor of London.
• Anne (who died in 1574). She married Thomas Ducke in 1564.

Third Marriage

His third wife was Anne Lee, who passed away in 1561. Anne's parents were Thomas Lee and Elizabeth Rolleston. With Anne, William had two sons and four daughters:

• William (1553–1624).
• Thomas (1555–1592), who became a famous poet and translator.
• Elizabeth (who died in 1582).
• Mawdelin.
• Mary (born in 1557), who married Robert Wylforde in 1575.
• Elizabeth (born in 1559).

William Watson's Death

William Watson wrote his will (a legal document about what happens to his belongings after he dies) on November 10, 1559. He passed away at his home in Mark Lane, London on November 20, 1559. His third wife, Anne, lived for two more years after him, passing away in 1561. His son and heir, William, was just over six years old when his father died.