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First Generation
1. Thomas (*+) MURFYN , Mayor of London1 was born about 1470 in Barway, Cambridgeshire,
England. He was also known as Thomas Mervin. He lived
in Downe Court, Kent, England. In 1518 he was in Mayor of London.
He died in Sep 1523. His will was dated 02 SEP 1523 and was proved
on 15 OCT 1523 in London, England. He was buried at Charnel house, Paulis Churchyarde
London, England. He was a 15th g grandfather to PLO & a 12th g grandfather
to LMS.
Arms: Or, on a chevron sable a mullet argent, a crescent for difference.
See "The Aldermen of the City of London" by Rev. Alfred B. Beaven (1908).
He and Alice MARSHALL had 11 sons and 1 dau; 2 sons survived the father children.
Before 1496 member of the Skinners Company (see below).
1508-9 Alderman of London,
Bishopsgate ward. "He had been nominated by Aldermen Tate and Knewseworth
and Sheriff Smyth." (Paul C. Reed, FASG.)
Master of the Skinners 1509, 1510, 1512, 1515, 1516 London.
1511 Sheriff of London.
From 1516 to 1518 auditor of the Skinners' Company, London.
1518 Lord Mayor of London.
"He was quite an extraordinary character. Not only did he hold high civic
office, but he also helped to open up the Hanseatic Ports of Antwerp and Bruges
to successful trading and provided fleets of armed ships to protect their trading.
He may have been responsible for founding what is today known as the Lord Mayor's
Show." (Alan O. Watkins).
Probate in 1523 Prerogative Court, Canterbury, Kent, Ref. 13 Bodfelde.
Properties in St. Pauls and St. Antoyne, London; Hornechurch, Essex; Kent; and
Barwey, Cambridge.
-----
Elected Alderman 1509 Skinner Bishopsgate 1509-23. Sheriff 1511-2. Mayor 1518-9.
Auditor 1516-8; Master Skinners 1509, 1510, 1512, 1515, 1516. Will (PCC 13 Bodfelde)
2 Sep; proved 15 Oct 1523.
He married the daughter of Aungel Don (Alderman 1506).
One of his daughters married Sir Andrew Judde (Lord Mayor 1550-1), another married
Sir Robert Cromwell, and was great-grandmother of the Protector and of John Hampden.
[-Richard Hodgson]
What is the Skinners Company?
The first skinners or furriers lived in the same areas of London and worshipped
at the same churches. The part religious, part secular fraternities of men involved
in the fur trade eventually came together in one guild, dedicated to Corpus Christi,
which became the Skinners’ Company. This is why the annual election of the
new master is held on the feast of Corpus Christi.
In medieval times furs were very much a luxury item and their use was strictly
controlled. Ermine and sable – costly furs from abroad – were reserved
for royalty and the aristocracy, the middle classes were restricted to furs of
lesser value, and the common folk had to make do with home grown lambskin, rabbit
and cat.
The Skinners became wealthier, and their influence grew, as the trade in expensive
furs flourished. Like the other trade guilds, their power was enhanced by the
grant of royal charters that afforded them some legal protection and official
control over their own craft.
The Skinners obtained one of the first charters from Edward III in 1327 –
a handwritten 17th century copy is still in the Company’s possession.
Furs were becoming very expensive as early as the middle 1400s and when other
fabrics became fashionable the fur trade began to decline. A hundred years later
few of the most prominent Skinners were in the fur trade – most were general
merchants.
Many of these prominent Skinners left charitable bequests, including land, to
the Company which managed the estates and used the income for charitable purposes.
[skinnershall.co.uk/history/history.htm]
It has evolved into an educational and charitable institution, supporting schools
such as Tonbridge School in Tonbridge, Kent; The Skinners School in Tunbridge
Wells Kent; The Judd School (also in Tonbridge) and The Skinners' Company's School
for Girls in Hackney, London. [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
Thomas (*+) MURFYN , Mayor of London and Alice (*+) MARSHALL were married
about 1515. Alice (*+) MARSHALL (daughter
of John MARSHALL) was born about 1472 in Beverley, Yorskshire, England.
She died before 1519. She was a 15th g grandmother to PLO & a 12th
g grandmother to LMS. Thomas (*+) MURFYN , Mayor of London and Alice
(*+) MARSHALL had the following children:
Thomas (*+) MURFYN
, Mayor of London and Elizabeth DONNE were married in 1519. Elizabeth
DONNE2 (daughter of Angell
DONNE and Ann HAWARDINE) was born about 1475 in London, England.
Thomas (*+) MURFYN , Mayor of London and Elizabeth DONNE had the following children:
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