Sir Thomas Vyner, 1st Baronet

Sir Thomas Vyner, 1st Baronet (1588–1665) was a wealthy English businessman and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London. Vyner supplied gold bullion to two English kings and to the Pretender Oliver Cromwell.

Born at North Cerney, Gloucestershire, on 15 Dec. 1588, Vyner was the son of Thomas and Anne Vyner. After his father's death in 1600, Vyner was sent to London to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Samuel Moore.

Samuel Moore introduced Vyner to the goldsmithing trade. Vyner soon became a member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and later became its prime warden. In 1822, Vyner purchased a mansion in the Hackney section of London. On 8 July 1624, James I appointed Vyner to the office of comptroller of the mint. Under the regime of Oliver Cromwell, Vyner supplied large quantities of gold bullion to and created coinage for both the English government and the East India Company. In 1656, he and a partner purchased a large quantity of Spanish bullion to be converted into coins.

As Vyner became more successful in business, he started venturing into politics. In 1646, he was elected alderman of the Billingsgate ward of London, a post he would hold until 1651. In 1648, he was elected sheriff. In 1651, Vyner ran for election as alderman in the Langbourn ward. In 1653, he became the Lord Mayor of London. That same year, Vyner was knighted by Cromwell.

In 1660, with the loss of his post as alderman, Vyner appears to have retired from public service. On 18 June 1661 Charles II made Vyner a baronet.

Vyner died in Hackney on 11 May 1665. He was buried in St Mary Woolnoth church in Langbourn. Vyner had three wives, four daughters, and two sons.

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