William Helmsley

William Helmsley was a draper by trade, and is first mentioned in the autumn of 1370, when he and his second wife, Alice, agreed to lease a messuage in York. Little is known about their life but Alice seems to have been a woman of considerable means, for she was not only able to bequeath over £26 in cash to various members of her family, but also possessed an impressive collection of plate and jewellery.

William rose to occupy a prominent position among the mercantile elite which dominated the government of York, serving successively as chamberlain and bailiff, and joining the council of 24. He was elected to Parliament in 1393, and reached the peak of his career in 1394 when he was Mayor of York.

William was buried in the church of St. Sampson, York, next to his second wife and at least two of their sons. In his will he made numerous bequests to friends and members of his family.