Thomas (Vynor) Vyner Bt (1588 - 1665)

Born Dec 1588 in North Cerney, Gloucestershire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Ann (Parsons) Vyner — married 14 Nov 1618 in St Clement Eastcheap, London, England

Husband of Honor (Hudson) Vyner — married 22 Jan 1638 in St Mary Woolnoth, London, England

Descendants

Died 11 May 1665 at age 76 in Hackney, Middlesex, England

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Biography

Thomas (Vynor) Vyner Bt is Notable.

Thomas (Vynor) Vyner Bt was born in North Cerney, Gloucestershire, England.

Summary

Thomas Vyner, born to a family of relatively modest means, became a wealthy London goldsmith, merchant, banker, and Lord Mayor of London in the mid-seventeenth century. Thomas Vyner's reputation as a goldsmith earned him the respect of his peers and enabled him to rise in society. He was appointed Lord Mayor of London and knighted by Oliver Cromwell in February 1653/4. Upon retiring in 1661 he was made a baronet by Charles II.

Early Life

All Saints parish church, North Cerney

Vyner was born in the small village of North Cerney, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, the son of Thomas and Ann Vyner. He was baptised 15 Dec 1588, in North Cerney parish church, presumably shortly after his birth.^[1][2] Thomas was their youngest surviving son. His father and namesake was a yeoman farmer,^[3] who likely owned some land and made a living from farming. Considering Thomas Vyner was a yeoman, the family may have enjoyed relative prosperity in the parish.

Not much is known about his ancestors. The senior line of the family later became established at Eathorpe, Warwickshire.^[4] In early life, Thomas was brought up by his parents. His father Thomas had been previously married, to Margaret, who died in 1578. Thomas had a brother Daniel Vyner baptised in 1588, they were presumably twin brothers, although Daniel died in childhood. Thomas had several older half siblings; Richard, born before 1577,^[3] Joan born 1568, William born 1569, Katherine born 1572, Robert born 1573, Mary born 1575, Ann born 1578. Thomas sisters were Edith born 1584 and Joan born 1596, both daughters of Ann.

Thomas Vyner's father Thomas Vyner died in 1600, at their home in North Cerney. In his will dated 21 Nov 1598, he gave his daughters Katherine, Mary and Ann £10 each, to his younger daughters Edith and Joan he gave £6 each, to be delivered when they reached the age of 21 years. Thomas provided that his son Thomas, (then aged twelve), was to be kept in school and learning by his executor at their cost up to the age of 15 years. Ann his wife was the sole executor and residuary legatee of the will. He appointed his son Richard to make a payment to his wife Ann of £10 if she renounced the executorship. "Loving neighbours and friends" John Teale the elder and William Ellis of Hardwicke were appointed overseers. The will was proved 22 May 1600. ^[3]

Career

As a younger son of the family, Thomas was destined to move away from home and make his fortune elsewhere. Around 1601, Thomas was sent to London, as an apprentice to his brother in law Samuel Moore, a goldsmith.^{[5] [6][7]}

Thomas Vyner learnt all the skills of the valuable goldsmithing trade during his education in London. Before 1612, Vyner became a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths,^[8] a livery company which received its Royal Charter in 1327. A form of trade guild, the livery companies played a significant role in the commercial life of the city. The Goldsmith Company was one of the most important of the livery companies. Vyner became a Master Goldsmith and liveryman before 22 Nov 1616, when he took on Samuel son of Robert Moore of Westbury, Gloucestershire, yeoman, as an apprentice, for a bond of 10 years.^[9] The liverymen retained the voting rights appointing the senior civic offices of London, including the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs the City of London Corporation, and the four members of Parliament representing London. ^[10]

Vyner pedigree in the Visitation of London

Thomas Vyner was appointed the prime warden of the goldsmiths guild, and was appointed to the office of Comptroller of the Mint in 1624.^[11] In his capacity as a goldsmith and citizen of London, Thomas entered into a bond in £200 with Edward Viscount Conway, in 1635.^[12] In 1635 Vyner took on Edward Backwell as an apprentice. Backwell later became a prominent goldsmith in his own right, and the two would eventually enter into partnership with each other.^[13]

The Vyner coat of arms were also included with the family pedigree in the Heraldic Visitation of London.^[14]

Career during the Civil War

Thomas Vyner may have supported the Parliamentarian cause during the civil war, as he lent money on pawned plate to the Parliamentary Army, advancing £100 in 1643, and a further £150 in 1647.^[7] Vyner found favour with the Cromwellian Regime during the Interregnum, and his son in law Sir Henry Pickering fought in the Parliamentary army.^[15] Despite this, he avoided the taint of Parliamentary involvement or suspicion of regicide after the Restoration. Around 1644, Thomas took on his nephew Robert Vyner (b.1631) as an apprentice, and they later became partners in business.^[16]

In 1646, Thomas Vyner, goldsmith, was elected Alderman of the Billingsgate ward of London, which post he held until 1651. In 1651 he was elected alderman of the Langbourn ward, holding this position until the Restoration in 1660.^[17] As an alderman, Vyner formed part of the senior group of governors of the City of London Corporation. In this capacity, Vyner made a copy of agreement with John Viscount Scudamore in 1647.^[18] With the prominent support of the Goldsmiths company, Vyner was elected Sheriff of London in 1651.^[19]

Role as treasurer

Thomas Vyner ventured into banking, and became involved in the great commercial affairs of the time. There was intense rivalry between the Dutch and the British, as Dutch activities in the Spice Islands severely restricted English trade in the region. In 1652 England went to war with the Dutch. Peace between the two countries was established by the Treaty of Westminster (1654) under which the Dutch paid £85,000 to compensate for the massacre at Amboyna in 1623, and for their interference with English trade. The Company deposited the money with Sir Thomas Vyner, and a fellow alderman, who acted as trustees for the beneficiaries. ^[20]

Mayoralty and Knighthood

Portrait of Sir Thomas Vyner, 1653

During the Interregnum, Thomas Vyner continued his rise in London society. He was elevated to the position of Lord Mayor of London in 1653, and was knighted upon his inauguration in Feb 1653/4,^[21][22] as was customary for newly appointed Lord Mayors.^[23]

In this role, Vyner conducted joint business ventures, to supply gold bullion to both the government and the East India Company. In 1656, Thomas Vyner and business partner Edward Backwell, previously Vyner's apprentice, purchased a large quantity of low grade Spanish bullion to be converted into coins, resulting in a financial loss, which they sought to mitigate through a petition addressed to the Lord Protector. Their purchase included Spanish bars, pieces of eight and plate.^[24]

Along with all other Cromwellian titles, Sir Thomas's knighthood automatically lapsed with the return of monarchy in 1660, but he was re-knighted by Charles II. He lost his place as an alderman to a returned royalist, and never recovered this position. In 1661 he petitioned unsuccessfully for the office of king's goldsmith, though afterwards retired from public service, and continued to live at his mansion in Hackney. Vyner was made a Baronet by Charles II on 18 Jun 1661, as was customary for retiring Lord Mayors.^[23]

Land acquisitions

As a successful merchant, Vyner held a house and office in the city of London. Following success as a goldsmith, Vyner proceeded to establish himself as a landed gentleman.^[25] In 1622 he purchased a manor in the village of Hackney, Middlesex, called the Black-and-White-house. Later, Thomas Vyner repaired and enlarged the house. His arms were emblazoned on the walls, these were: A bend, on a chief 2 birds—not blazoned.^[26]

Sir Thomas Vyner was involved in a Chancery case with Francis Greville Lord Brooke in 1655. ^[27] Vyner's third wife Alice was the widow of alderman John Perryn, who held a mansion at East Acton. Thomas Vyner and Alice his wife continued to hold the property according to the Assessment Books of Acton parish church.^[28]

Family and descendants

Thomas Vyner was married three times, and had two sons and four daughters. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son George Vyner (1640-1673). ^[16]

He married firstly, Ann Parsons, daughter of Richard Parsons, merchant of London, 14 Nov 1618, St Clement, Eastcheap, London.^[29] They were married for nearly 18 years, until Ann died in 1636. She was buried 7 Oct 1636, in St Mary Woolnoth church.^[30] They had issue, four daughters:

1. Mary, married Sir Richard Napier (1607-1676)
2. Elizabeth, married Sir Henry Pickering of Whaddon, Cambridgeshire, Baronet
3. Rebecca, married Richard Pigot Esq.
4. Ann

He married secondly, Honor Hudson, 22 Jan 1637/8 St Mary Woolnoth, London.^[31] They had issue:

1. George Viner, bapt. 20 Feb 1638/39 St Mary Woolnoth^[32]
2. Thomas, d.1666

Vyner married thirdly, Alice, widow of Alderman John Perryn, and they had no issue.^[25][33]

Will and Testament

Vyner wrote his will on 16 Mar 1664/5, as Sir Thomas Vyner of the Cittie of London, knight and Baronet. In his will, he provided for his wife, Dame Alice, and his grandchildren. He mentioned his son Sir George Vyner, and daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca, and his son in law Richard Napier. After payment of Sir Thomas's debts the residue was to be divided into three equal shares: one to his two sons, one to his wife, and the third, about £7000, to charities and other named legatees.^[33] This was required by the custom of the City of London.^[34] Vyner also left a bequest to the parish of Hackney. ^[35]

Death and Burial

Monument to Sir Thomas Viner, 1673

Sir Thomas Vyner died on 11 May 1665, in the 77th year of his life, at his mansion in Hackney. He was buried in St Mary Woolnoth church.^[36][37] The diarist Samuel Pepys attended his funeral on 1 Jun 1665.^[38] Thomas Vyner was memorialised in a monument carved by Jasper Latham. When St Mary Woolnoth church was demolished in 1716, his monument was moved by his great-nephew Robert Vyner to Gautby. His monument remains at Gautby church, a Grade II* Listed Building.^[39] Sir Thomas was influential in providing the foundations for the achievements of later goldsmith–bankers, notably his own apprentices Edward Backwell and Robert Vyner.

Research Notes

• Note on name spelling:

During his lifetime, Vyner's name was typically spelt Vyner, or Viner, tending to the former. Later adaptations have spelt the name Viner. In his baptism record, his name was spelt Vynor.

• The Heraldic Visitation was unsigned, so it's not known who presented the arms. It was accepted as a true record by the College of Arms.

Mortimer-1706 13:30, 23 October 2021 (UTC)

• Searched but unable to find IPM of Thomas Vyner, 1665.

Mortimer-1706 16:01, 13 October 2021 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucester, Gloucestershire; Gloucestershire Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P70 in 1/1; North Cerney; Baptism 1588; Thomas Vynor
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J74Z-JTT : 18 September 2020), Thomas Vynor, 1588.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Gloucestershire Wills and Inventories; Gloucestershire Archives; GDR/R8/1600/126; Will of Thomas Vyner, yeoman, 1600 North Cerney; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021; Ancestry uk Record 4294 #159984 (requires subscription).
4. ↑ Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Catalogue Reference: DR 4; Vyner of Eathorpe; TNA Discovery [accessed 10 October 2021]
5. ↑ J. R. Woodhead, The rulers of London, 1660–1689 (1965); Pages 167-168: Vyner; BHO; Accessed October 2021
6. ↑ Sir A. Heal, The London Goldsmiths, 1200-1800 (Cambridge, 1935), p.88
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} D. K. Clark, "A Restoration Goldsmith-Banking House: The Vine on Lombard Street" in C. Seymour et al., Essays in Modern English History (Port Washington/London, rep. 1971), pp.3-4, 7
8. ↑ Records of London's Livery Companies Online; Record link Accessed October 2021
9. ↑ Records of London's Livery Companies Online; Record link
10. ↑ Walter Thornbury, 'The Lord Mayors of London', in Old and New London: Volume 1 (London, 1878), pp. 396-416. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol1/pp396-416 [accessed 13 October 2021].
11. ↑ W. A. Shaw, ed., Calendar of treasury books, 1 , PRO (1904)
12. ↑ Warwickshire Record Office; CR114A/788; Miscellaneous Papers; TNA Discovery [accessed 10 October 2021]
13. ↑ M. Ashley, Financial and commercial policy under the Cromwellian protectorate, 2nd edn (1962)
14. ↑ The visitation of London, anno domine 1633, 1634, and 1635 ..., edited by Joseph Jackson Howard and Joseph Lemuel Chester; London, England : Harleian Society, 1880-1883; Publications of the Harleian Society. Visitation series; v. 15, 17; p. 313; Internet Archive
15. ↑ G.E. Cokayne, Complete Baronetage, Vol.3
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} G.E. Cokayne, The Complete baronetage. Volume 4, 1665-1707 / edited by G.E.C. 1904, p.31; Internet Archive Accessed October 2021
17. ↑ Alfred P Beaven, 'Chronological list of aldermen: 1651-1700', in The Aldermen of the City of London Temp. Henry III - 1912 (London, 1908), pp. 75-119. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/london-aldermen/hen3-1912/pp75-119 [accessed 13 October 2021].
18. ↑ The National Archives; C 115/67; Nos 5855 Copy of agreement between John, Viscount Scudamore and Alderman Thomas Vyner of London arising out of Vyner's payment of Scudamore's delinquency fine by instalments; TNA Discovery [accessed 10 October 2021]
19. ↑ John Noorthouck, 'Addenda: The Mayors and Sheriffs of London', in A New History of London Including Westminster and Southwark (London, 1773), pp. 889-893. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/new-history-london/pp889-893 [accessed 13 October 2021].
20. ↑ The National Archives; IOR/A/1; Charters of the East India Company with related documents: the 'parchment records'; TNA Discovery Accessed October 2021
21. ↑ A List of All the Mayors and Lord Mayors, That Governed This Honourable City of London, from the Year, 1191. to the Seventh Year of Her Majesties Reign, 1709.. London: Printed and Sold by B. Bragge, at the Raven in Pater-Noster-Row, 1709. Print.; Record link [Accessed 11 Oct 2021]
22. ↑ Shaw, William Arthur, The Knights of England, p.223; publ. 1906 London, Sherratt and Hughes; Internet Archive
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Alfred P Beaven, 'Aldermen, knights and baronets', in The Aldermen of the City of London Temp. Henry III - 1912 (London, 1908), pp. 255-260. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/london-aldermen/hen3-1912/pp255-260 [accessed 13 October 2021].
24. ↑ ‘Petitions in the State Papers: 1650s’, in Petitions in the State Papers, 1600-1699, ed. Brodie Waddell, British History Online, Sir Thomas Vyner, knight, and Edward Backwell of London, goldsmith. SP 18/153 f. 32 (1657).; Petition [Accessed 11 Oct 2021]
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Vyner [Viner], Sir Thomas, first baronet (1588–1665), G. E. Aylmer, publ. 23 Sep 2014, ODNB; Link to record
26. ↑ Daniel Lysons, 'Hackney', in The Environs of London: Volume 2, County of Middlesex (London, 1795), pp. 450-516. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-environs/vol2/pp450-516 [accessed 10 October 2021].; BHO: Hackney[accessed 10 October 2021]
27. ↑ The National Archives; C 7/403/49; Lord Brooke v Vyner, 1655; TNA Discovery [accessed 10 October 2021]
28. ↑ Philip Norman, 'East Acton Manor House: Historical notes', in Survey of London Monograph 7, East Acton Manor House (London, 1921), pp. 15-18. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/bk7/pp15-18 [accessed 13 October 2021].
29. ↑ Marriage: London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812; Marriage; 1618 St Clement, Eastcheap, City of London; Thomas Viner, Ann Parsons; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.
    • View Ancestry uk Record 1624 #6405910 (requires subscription).
    • View Record image
30. ↑ London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812; St Mary Woolnoth; Burial 1636; Anne Viner; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.
    • View Ancestry uk Record 1624 #4707443 (requires subscription).
31. ↑ Marriage: England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973; FHL Film Number: 942.1 L1 V26MWA; Marriage 1637 Saint Mary Woolnoth,London; Thomas Vyner, Honor Hudson; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.
    • View Ancestry uk Record 9852 #12222129 (requires subscription).
32. ↑ London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812; St Mary Woolnoth, City of London, London, England; Baptism 1638; George Viner; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.; View Ancestry uk Record 1624 #4706841 (requires subscription).
33. ↑ ^{33.0 33.1} Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills; The National Archives; PROB 11/316/583; Will of Sir Thomas Vyner of City of London, 1665; TNA Discovery; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.
    • View Ancestry uk Record 5111 #988562 (requires subscription).
34. ↑ Edward Wood, A Complete Body of Conveyancing: In Theory and Practice, Volume 6, publ. 1793, London, p. 624: Wills; Google Books Accessed October 2021
35. ↑ Hackney Archives; D/F/TYS/35; Title: 'Deeds relating to the manor of Hackney'; Includes manorial and title deeds; TNA Discovery [accessed 10 October 2021]
36. ↑ Burial: London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812; St Mary Woolnoth; Burial 1665; Thomas Vyner; Accessed on ancestry.co.uk, October 2021.; View Ancestry Record 1624 #4715608 (requires subscription).; Record link
37. ↑ J. M. S. Brooke and A. W. C. Hallen, eds., The transcript of the registers of … St Mary Woolnoth and St Mary Woolchurch Haw … 1538 to 1760 (1886)
38. ↑ The diary of Samuel Pepys. A new and complete transcription edited by Robert Latham and William Matthews. Contributing editors: William A. Armstrong [and others]; v.6; The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Daily entries from the 17th century London diary; Jun 1665 Accessed October 2021
39. ↑ British Listed Buildings: Church of All Saints, Gautby; British Listed Buildings Accessed October 2021.

• C.E. Challis, Mint Officials and Moneyers of the Stuart Period; British Numismatic Society, 1989; Publication Accessed October 2021
• R. Ashton, The crown and the money market, 1603–1640 (1960)
• C. H. Firth and R. S. Rait, eds., Acts and ordinances of the interregnum, 1642–1660, 3 vols. (1911); BHO; Accessed October 2021
• A. Heal, ed., The London goldsmiths, 1200–1800: a record of the names and addresses of the crafsmen, their shop-signs and trade-cards (1935) ; facs. edn (1972); Catalogue
• D. Mitchell, ‘Innovation and the transfer of skill in the goldsmiths' trade in Restoration London’, Goldsmiths, silversmiths and bankers: innovation and the transfer of skill, 1550 to 1750 [London 1993], ed. D. Mitchell (1995), 5–22; Worldcat
• Schwarzberg, Becoming a London Goldsmith in the Seventeenth Century: Social Capital and Mobility of Apprentices and Masters of the Guild; London School of Economics Working Papers No. 141/10, LSE Publications; Accessed October 2021

See also:

• Wikipedia: Sir Thomas Vyner, 1st Baronet, 1588-1665
• Wikipedia: Robert Vyner, 1st Baronet (1631-1688)
• Wikipedia: Edward Backwell c.1618-1683
• Wikidata: Thomas Vyner, Lord Mayor of London

Acknowledgements

This profile has been improved by a member of the England Project's Orphan Trail.