Andrew Judde

Andrew Judde was an English merchant known as one of the wealthiest and most prominent of overseas traders in early Tudor London.

Apprenticed to John Buknell, a skinner and merchant of the Staple of Calais, Judde became a member of the Skinners’ Company after 1520 holding the position of the master five times. His business dealings included export of English wool through Calais, as well as other aspects of the cloth trade. Judde also participated in trade of lead and allum, moneylending activities and land speculations. His exploration aspirations made him a founder member of the Russian Company and promoter of early voyages to Russia and West Africa. Jude also owned lands in Kent, Surrey and Herfordshire. During his public career Jude served as an alderman (1541) and Lord Mayor of London (1550-1551). He was knighted in 1551 and died seven years later.