Thomas Fitz-Henry
| Henry fitz Ailwin | |
|---|---|
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| 1st Lord Mayor of London | |
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In office 1189–1212 |
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| Preceded by | New title |
| Succeeded by | Roger fitz Alan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | ca. 1135 |
| Died | 19 September 1212 |
| Nationality | English |
| Children | Peter fitz Henry Alan fitz Henry Thomas fitz Henry Richard fitz Henry |
| Occupation | businessman and landowner |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Henry fitz Ailwin (about 1135 – 19 September 1212) was an English businessman and landowner who served as the first Mayor of the City of London (the title becoming Lord Mayor of London from 1347 and then Lord Mayor of the City of London from 2006). In office from about 1189 until his death in 1212, he was the only mayor to hold the post for life .
Of English descent, rather than Norman, his family had been active in the commercial and civic life of London for generations. His grandfather Leofstan (died about 1115) was probably the portreeve of London who in 1108 was involved in the foundation of Holy Trinity Priory, Aldgate, The house of his father Ailwin (died 1164/5) was where the husting court of London met and his uncle Robert was an official of the weavers' guild in 1130.
Little is known of his business interests, which probably centred on making, finishing, and selling cloth. In politics, he was an alderman by 1168 and became one of the most influential men in the city. Under King Richard I and his brother King John, the royal need to raise finance from London businessmen resulted in the grant of greater autonomy to the city, which previously had been governed by a portreeve, an officer of the crown. Instead, the office of mayor emerged, with fitz Ailwin first named as such in 1194.
In 1193 he was one of the those entrusted with the money collected for the King's ransom and in 1208 negotiated for the use of ground outside the walls as a city burial ground. After the great fire of 1212, he and other city officials issued a code governing new building.
He gave generously to church causes, with endowments to Holy Trinity Priory, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Westminster Abbey, the Chapel of St Thomas on the Bridge completed in 1209, and to the nunneries of St Mary, Clerkenwell and Godstow. He contributed to the foundation of St Mary Spital and at Watton-at-Stone was remembered as the founder of a chapel.
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Wikipedia