See also
| Husband: | Richard WHITTINGTON (c. 1355-1423) | |
| Wife: | Alice FITZWARREN ( -bef1423) | |
| Name: | Richard WHITTINGTON | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | William WHITTINGTON (c. 1310-1359) | |
| Mother: | Joan MAUNSEL ( -1373) | |
| Birth | c. 1355 | |
| Occupation | Mayor of London | |
| Death | Mar 1423 (age 67-68) | |
| Name: | Alice FITZWARREN | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Death | bef 1423 | |
No children.
Richard or 'Dick' Whittington was born during the 1350s. He was the younger son of Sir William Whittington, Lord of the Manor of Pauntley in Gloucestershire. Sir William died in 1358. The oldest son inherited the estate, so Richard travelled to London to find work.
Whittington served an apprenticeship, and eventually became a ‘mercer', dealing in valuable cloth from abroad, such as silks, velvets and cloth of gold. The main market for selling these cloths was the Royal Court. Whittington supplied large quantities to King Richard II (who owed Whittington £1000 when he was deposed in 1399) and to King Henry IV. Whittington became rich. After 1397 he often lent large sums of money to the Crown. In return he was allowed to export wool without paying customs duty on it.
He became a City alderman, or magistrate, in 1393. In 1397 the Mayor, Adam Bamme, died in office and the King chose Whittington to become the new mayor. He was re-elected the following year, and again for 1406-7 and 1419-20. This made him Mayor of London four times.
Whittington died in March 1423. His wife Alice, daughter of Sir Ivo Fitzwaryn (or Fitzwarren) of Dorset, had died before him.