Richard Whittington

Richard Whittington (c. 1354 – March 1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal,[2] City of London, was an English merchant and politician of the late medieval period.

In his lifetime he financed a number of public projects, such as drainage systems in poor areas of London, and a hospital ward for unmarried mothers.

[7] As a younger son, under the system of primogeniture he would not expect to inherit his father's estate, and thus was sent to the City of London to learn the trade of mercer through an apprenticeship.

[2] Whittington became a successful merchant, dealing in valuable imports such as silks and velvets, both luxury fabrics, much of which he sold to royalty and nobility from about 1388.

By 1393, he had become an alderman and was appointed Sheriff of the City of London by the incumbent mayor, William Staundone,[9] as well as becoming a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers.

Two days after the death of Adam Bamme in June 1397, Whittington was imposed on the City by the king as his replacement as Lord Mayor of London.

As a member of parliament variously for the county seats of Dorset, Devon, and Somerset; a son of Sir William FitzWaryn, Knight of the Garter, of Whittington Castle in Shropshire, who was probably a son of Fulk FitzWarin, 3rd Baron FitzWarin (c.1315–1349), also of Whittington Castle in Shropshire[11] and of Wantage, who were of an ancient and powerful family of Marcher Lords.

Whittington died in March 1423, aged around 68 or 69, and was buried in the church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, to which he had donated large sums during his lifetime.

There are several versions of the traditional story, which tells how Dick, a boy from a poor Gloucestershire family, sets out for London to make his fortune, accompanied by, or later acquiring, his cat.

However, on his way out of the city, whilst climbing Highgate Hill from modern-day Archway, he hears the Bow Bells of London ringing, and believes they are sending him a message.

Eventually he does become prosperous, marries his master's daughter Alice Fitzwarren (the name of the real Whittington's wife), and is made Lord Mayor of London three times.

[18] Elstracke's oddly-shaped cat was in fact a later replacement by printseller Peter Stent for what had been a skull in the original, with the change being made to conform to the story already in existence, to increase sales.

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 print-seller 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
Merchant mark of Richard Whittington, as shown in his portrait c.1590 by Reginald Elstrack
Whittington on his deathbed: at his side the four executors of his will, John Coventre, John White, clerk, John Carpenter, and William Grove, [ 13 ] with many of the beneficiaries of his charities at the foot of his bed. A physician examines a bottle of urine .
"Portraits of Sir Richard Whittington & his cat".
Printed in New Wonderful Museum , Vol. III (1805), "from the original painting at Mercers' Hall ".