Richard Whittington

Richard Whittington, 19th c. engraving after original c.1590 by Reginald Elstrack (1570 – after 1625).
Original engraving depicted a skull, changed to a cat by printseller Peter Stent to meet popular expectations. Arms: Whittington, FitzWaryn, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Merchant Adventurers Company of London; also two small shields with his merchant mark
Richard Whittington, stained glass in the Guildhall, City of London
Arms of Richard Whittington: Gules, a fess chequy or and azure in the dexter chief an annulet or, the annulet being a difference of his paternal arms.[1] As formerly visible sculpted within a quatrefoil on the Library of the Greyfriars, founded by him
Merchant mark of Richard Whittington, as shown in his portrait c.1590 by Reginald Elstrack

Richard Whittington (c. 1354 – March 1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal,[2] City of London, was an English merchant and a politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and His Cat. He was four times (appointed once, elected three times) Lord Mayor of London, a member of parliament and a Sheriff of London. In his lifetime he financed a number of public projects, such as drainage systems in poor areas of medieval London, and a hospital ward for unmarried mothers. He bequeathed his fortune to form the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington which, nearly 600 years later, continues to assist people in need.[3]

  1. ^ The Heraldic Register, J. Bernard Burke, p.56
  2. ^ Will of Richard Whittington: " I leave to my executors named below the entire tenement in which I live in the parish of St. Michael Paternoster Royal, London"[1]
  3. ^ "Charitable Trusts". Worshipful Company of Mercers. Retrieved 5 March 2012.

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