Henry le Walleis

Henry le Walleis was among the foremost 13th-century English vintners and Mayor of London. He was probably an outsider to London and may have been Welsh by birth, but had made his fortune in the wine trade, became an alderman in 1269 and sheriff in 1270. Later, he served five terms as Mayor.

Henry's career was marked by strong support for King Edward I (r. 1272- 1307), whom he served as an advisor. Henry was first elected Mayor in 1273, and his term was marked by prosecution of King’s enemies. In 1275, Edward I appointed him as mayor of Bordeaux, probably because of his interests in the vine trade, and Henry also served as a diplomat to both France and Scotland over the next two decades. From 1281 until 1283 Henry served as Mayor of London, and again in 1298 he was elected to his fifth and final term as mayor. While serving as Mayor in 1282, he established the Stocks Market where fishmongers and butchers could sell their wares, with the rents going towards the maintenance of London Bridge.

Henry le Walleis died in 1302, leaving a significant bequest to the Poor Clares and Franciscans.