Thomas Egerton

Thomas Egerton belonged to a cadet branch of the Egertons of Wrinehill in Staffordshire. Apprenticed to a London mercer, Egerton became a freeman of the Mercers’ Company in 1542. From 1552 to 1555 he was employed as Under Treasurer of the Royal Mint at the Tower of London, and together with John Godsalve issued the double-faced shillings of Philip and Mary.

Accused for unduly profiteering from a silver buying contract in 1555, Egerton was removed from his office and charged with debt of more than £9,000. In order to avoid imprisonment, his family managed to obtain an election for MP in 1558 for Egerton. However, that was only a temporarily solution as he was arrested and committed to the Fleet prison. Although he managed to obtain his release on behalf of the promise to repay his debts in the end, he never succeeded to achieve that entirely.

Interestingly, his business career was not affected by the affair and continued to prosper. He was appointed Master of the Mercers’ Company in 1587, and was a founding member of the Russian Company. In addition, he was appointed on commissions on trade and to advice on the fineness of the coinage.