Sir Abraham Reynardson

Reynardson was born in 1590 as the son of a Plymouth merchant and came to London to serve his apprenticeship. Eventually he became a leading member of the Merchant Taylors' Company and its master in 1640. He was also prominent in the Levant and East India Companies, and served as the member of the committee and court assistant of the latter in several occasions.

During 1642-43 Renyrdson supported the king’s cause and used his position of Lord Mayor (1648-1649) to disrupt Parliament. After the king’s execution in 1649, he was thrown out of office and threatened with the imprisonment in the Tower. After he refused to pay a fine of £2,000, all his estate was seized in order to encourage him to do so.

After the Restoration of monarchy, his loyalty to the king was recognized and he was knighted in 1661 by the king Charles II and restored to his City offices.

Reynardson died in 1661 as an affluent man who owned the estates in Essex and Sussex as well as extensive London property. His wealth was estimated around £100,000 or over £2.8bn. in today’s terms.