The Lord Mayor of London
Letters
to My Father involve two Lord Mayors of London. The first was Alderman
Sir Thomas Andrewes, the grandfather of Damaris, who played a crucial role
during the English Civil War as one of the principal financiers to Parliament.
A London linen-draper and devout Puritan, Andrewes had risen to became a prosperous
merchant and money-lender. He became Alderman in February 1642 and was committed
to the religious Independency which divided the King's opponents in the mid-1640s
and was involved in the movement to bring Charles to trial. Andrewes was one
of the judges appointed to try the King at Westminster and he attended most
of the trial sessions in January 1642 and, although he did not sign the Death
Warrant, was present at Charles's execution. A few days later he unseated
the Royalist incumbent to become the first Lord Mayor of London under the
republic. He owned significant commercial property in London and bought Durham
Castle in 1650.
The second Lord Mayor was Edward's brother, Sir Thomas Abney, who is mentioned in the letters, and subsequently became Lord Mayor in 1700, co-founded the Bank of England and was the patron of Dr. Isaac Watts, theologian and prolific hymn writer.
More Information on the Lord Mayor of London
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk - A list of all of the Lord Mayors of London since 1189
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/business_city/lordmayor/ - Information on the current Lord Mayor of London
