Sir Henry Colet

Henry Colet was a wealthy merchant who was elected several times on the post of the Lord Mayor of London and who was favored at the court of the King Henry VII.

Born in a family of Robert Colet of Wendover, Buckinghamshire, Henry was sent to London to serve as an apprentice in the firm of a mercer. Upon completion of apprenticeship, Colet established the career of a prosperous merchant and became one of the wealthiest members of the Mercers’ Company. He was knighted in 1486.

During his long public career, Colet served as an alderman, sheriff of London and Lord Mayor of London holding that position from 1486 until 1495.

He was the owner of the estate of Stepney where he died in 1505.