Thomas Smythe

Thomas Smythe came from a yeoman family of Wiltshire. His father was a clothier and small landowner. Most of his father’s property was inherited by John, Thomas’ elder brother, while Thomas received only one farm in Amesbury, Wiltshire, worth £20 a year. Thomas decided to settle in London and to seek his own fortune. He became member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, of which he was Master in 1583. In 1558 he purchased the Office of the Customs from Philip Cockram, for the sum of £2500.

Smythe had wide commercial interests which included mineral works and a monopoly of the sale of alum in England. Also, he was an original member of the Russia and Levant Companies. Through his commercial ventures Smythe became a very rich man: his landed property alone consisted of 12 manors in Kent, London and Wiltshire.