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Richard Whittington
Lord Mayor of London (c. 1354–1423) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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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
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