Abraham Reynardson

He sympathised with the Royalist cause and as master of the Merchant Taylors he helped to respond to King Charles's demand for a loan from the city companies in 1640.

His election sermon was preached by Obadiah Sedgwick, an eloquent divine, whom Oliver Cromwell had stigmatised as "a rascally priest."

Reynardson did not countenance the act constituting the court for the trial of King Charles and it was read in his absence at the Exchange and in Cheapside by the sergeant-at-arms, with the commons' mace upon his shoulder.

The debate on the subject lasted from eleven in the morning till eight in the evening, when the lord mayor left, and the resolution for presenting the petition was carried.

Reynardson burnt the document "to ashes privately in his chamber," because it contained the names of leading citizens who had by their signatures approved its loyal sentiments.

He pleaded his conscientious scruples, but the house ordered him to pay a fine of £2,000, to be imprisoned in the Tower of London for two months, and to be deposed from the mayoralty.

When he refused to pay the fine imposed by parliament, "his goods, household stuff, and wearing apparel were ordered to be sold by the candle."

[1] He was formally restored as alderman for Bassishaw ward on 4 September[2] He declined the office of Lord Mayor for 1660 to 1661 because of "his sickly condition".

His body lay in state at Merchant Taylors' Hall till 17 October when it was taken for burial at the church of St. Martin Outwich.

[1] During his lifetime Reynardson lent large sums of money to the Merchant Taylors' Company and regularly attended the meetings of the court.