William Wyggeston facts for kids
William Wyggeston (sometimes spelled William Wigston) lived from about 1467 to 1536. He was an English wool merchant who lived in Leicester. He was part of the important Wyggeston family.
William Wyggeston became very rich and powerful. In 1522, records show he paid a huge 22% of all the taxes collected in Leicester! He was also elected as the Mayor of Leicester two times. He even represented Leicester in the English Parliament.
Contents
William Wyggeston's Life and Work
Early Life and Career
William Wyggeston was born around 1467. His father, John Wigston, was also a Mayor of Leicester in 1469. William became a freeman of Leicester in 1493 or 1494. This meant he had special rights in the city.
He held many important jobs in the city government. He became Mayor of Leicester for the first time in 1499. In 1504, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Leicester. He was Mayor again in 1510.
William was a successful wool merchant. He traded wool through the Staple of Calais, a special market for English wool. It is said that he was the Mayor of Calais four times. We know for sure he was Mayor of Calais in November 1514.
He was married twice, first to Isabella and then to Agnes. William Wyggeston did not have any children.
Helping the Community
William Wyggeston was also known for being a very generous person. He used his wealth to help others.
The Wyggeston Hospital
In 1513, William set up an early type of 'hospital' in Leicester. This was actually an almshouse, a place for old or poor people to live. It is now called Wyggeston's Hospital. He bought land in Swannington in 1520 to help pay for the hospital.
Today, Wyggeston's Hospital still exists as a retirement home for older people. It is located on Hinckley Road in the West End of Leicester. The original hospital was next to St Martin's Church, which is now Leicester Cathedral.
His Lasting Impact
After William Wyggeston passed away, his brother Thomas Wyggeston helped make sure William's money was used for good causes.
Schools Named After Him
Thomas used some of the money to start a grammar school in Leicester. Although that first school eventually closed, its name lived on. Later, a new school called Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys was founded. Today, this school is part of the Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College.
A girls' school, Wyggeston Grammar School for Girls, was also started later. In 1981, it joined with another school and became a Sixth Form college. Now, it is known as Regent College.
Honored in Leicester
William Wyggeston is one of the important people honored on Leicester's Clock Tower. His name is spelled 'Wigston' on the tower.
A special group called the Freemasons in Leicester also named a Lodge after William Wyggeston. It was started on July 1, 1910. This group, The Wyggeston Lodge, No.3448, even uses William Wyggeston's motto: "Give freely of yourself and behold all Worlds are yours."
There is also a pub in Wigston named after him, where his name is spelled "Wygston."
