Richard Whittington

For other people named Richard Whittington, see Richard Whittington (disambiguation).
"Dick Whittington" redirects here. For other uses, see Dick Whittington (disambiguation).

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.