Paul Pindar
Encyclopedia
Sir Paul Pindar was a merchant and, from 1611 to 1620, was Ambassador of King James I of England
to the Ottoman Empire
.
Born in Wellingborough
and educated at Wellingborough School
Pindar entered trade as the apprentice to an Italian merchant in London. He later became involved in trade to the Ottoman Empire
, first as secretary to the English ambassador in Constantinople
Henry Lello
and eventually becoming ambassador himself. Pindar was present when the famous gift of an organ was made to the royal household by Ambassador Lello and he went on to become a favourite of Safiye Sultan
the powerful mother of Sultan Mehmet III.
As ambassador he was "was renowned for his generosity in educating young men at his own 'care and cost'"
Pindar was knighted by James 1 in 1623.
A pamphlet published in London in 1642 states that Pindar saved the life of a felon named "Running Jack" who had been sentenced to death. The prisoner "was found to have bin such a notorious Malefactor, that the Bench did condemn him to dy: but hee hath since obtained a Reprieve by the means of Sir Paul Pindar." The pamphlet does not elaborate on his crimes, or on why Sir Paul had an interest in the case.
In the 18th century Sir Paul Pindar's House in Bishopsgate
became a tavern called the "Sir Paul Pindar's Head" and was then demolished to make way for the expansion of Liverpool Street station
in 1890. Its façade was preserved and can now be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum
. There is a commemorative vase to Pindar in St Botolph's Church
Bishopsgate.
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
.
Born in Wellingborough
Wellingborough
Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, England, situated some from the county town of Northampton. The town is situated on the north side of the River Nene, most of the older town is sited on the flanks of the hills above the river's current flood plain...
and educated at Wellingborough School
Wellingborough School
Wellingborough School is an independent fee-paying day school in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. It was established in 1595 and is one of the oldest schools in the country.-History:...
Pindar entered trade as the apprentice to an Italian merchant in London. He later became involved in trade to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, first as secretary to the English ambassador in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
Henry Lello
Henry Lello
Sir Henry Lello was an English diplomat, warden of the Fleet Prison, and Keeper of the Palace of Westminster.Lello went to Constantinople as an attache to the English Embassy to the Sublime Porte of the Ottoman Empire and in 1598 was appointed ambassador....
and eventually becoming ambassador himself. Pindar was present when the famous gift of an organ was made to the royal household by Ambassador Lello and he went on to become a favourite of Safiye Sultan
Safiye Sultan
Safiyā Valida Sultânā, , née Sofia Baffo, , was the consort of Ottoman Sultan Murad III, the Valida Sultânā and de facto co-regent to her son, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed III.- Biography :She was of Venetian descent...
the powerful mother of Sultan Mehmet III.
As ambassador he was "was renowned for his generosity in educating young men at his own 'care and cost'"
Pindar was knighted by James 1 in 1623.
A pamphlet published in London in 1642 states that Pindar saved the life of a felon named "Running Jack" who had been sentenced to death. The prisoner "was found to have bin such a notorious Malefactor, that the Bench did condemn him to dy: but hee hath since obtained a Reprieve by the means of Sir Paul Pindar." The pamphlet does not elaborate on his crimes, or on why Sir Paul had an interest in the case.
In the 18th century Sir Paul Pindar's House in Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate is a road and ward in the northeast part of the City of London, extending north from Gracechurch Street to Norton Folgate. It is named after one of the original seven gates in London Wall...
became a tavern called the "Sir Paul Pindar's Head" and was then demolished to make way for the expansion of Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
in 1890. Its façade was preserved and can now be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
. There is a commemorative vase to Pindar in St Botolph's Church
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is a Church of England church in the City of London, first mentioned in 1212 and dedicated to St Botolph.The nearest London Underground station is Liverpool Street.-History:...
Bishopsgate.
External links
- Tithe Barn to All Hallows Church (Wellingborough Heritage Trail)