Richard Whittington was born in Pauntley, Gloucestershire, in the late 1350s1. He was the son of Sir William Whittington and Joan Maunsell, both from wealthy and influential families2. He was the third of four sons, and as a younger son, he did not inherit his father’s estate2. He moved to London to become a merchant and apprentice to John Fitzwarren3. He later became a successful trader, a four-time mayor of London, and a generous philanthropist2. He is also the real-life inspiration for the folk tale of Dick
William Whittington died in 1358, when Richard was only four years old. It is not known how much he missed his father, but he probably inherited some of his father’s wealth and ambition
Richard Whittington did meet John Fitzwarren, who was his master and father-in-law. According to the web, Richard Whittington was sent to London to be apprenticed to John Fitzwarren, a rich merchant, when he was 13 years old1. He worked in Fitzwarren’s house as a scullion boy and later became a successful trader2. He also fell in love with Fitzwarren’s daughter, Alice, whom he married sometime between 1402 and 14103. Fitz warren was a supportive and generous mentor to Whittington, and helped him to rise in the ranks of the mercers’ company and the city government4. Whittington to the web, Richard Whittington ran away from his master’s house in London because he was unhappy with his life as a scullion boy. He was bullied by the cook and had no friends except his cat. He also believed that the streets of London were not paved with gold, as he had hoped, but with dirt and filth12. He decided to return to his home in Gloucestershire to see a painting of his father , but on his way, he heard the bells of Bow Church ringing and calling him back.Turn again, Whittington, Once Lord Mayor of London! Turn again, Whittington, Twice Lord Mayor of London! Turn again, Whittington, Thrice Lord Mayor of London!
Dick Whittington took this as a sign of his destiny and turned back to London. He later learned that his cat had been sold for a great fortune in Barbary, where it had rid the king’s palace of rats and mice. Dick Whittington received his share of the money and became a rich and successful merchant. He also married Alice, the daughter of his master Fitzwarren, and became a four-time mayor of London and a generous benefactor of the city and the