Roger Thornton
Encyclopedia
Roger Thornton the Dick Whittington of Newcastle
, seems to have been a country boy seeking his fortune in town.
At the Westgate came Thornton in
With a hap, and a halfpenny, and a lambskin.
He lived to become 'the richest marchant that ever was dwelling in Newcastell', and three times mayor of that town. He took the side of Henry IV
against the rebel Earl of Northumberland
(in whose cause Hotspur had fallen) and received on 28 July 1405 'in consideration of his services and of the losses he had sustained, and the charges he had borne in the late rebellion of the Earl of Northumberland, and others, the Foucher (Fugar) House in Whickham, as well as other estates in Cleveland.' He was later knighted and represented Newcastle in parliament several times, the last being the fifth year of the reign of Henry V
.
Thornton was a speculator in lead mines, and he was certainly working some in Weardale under lease from the Bishop of Durham in 1401. He was also remembered for his liberality to Newcastle, building a town court and also a Maison Dieu or hospital for poor people in the Sandhill. Thornton died in the Broad Chare in 1429. His monumental brass, of the incised, Flemish type, is now in Newcastle Cathedral
and is said to be the largest brass in the country. It is certainly one of the finest; Thornton's seven sons and seven daughters appear below the principal figures. Thornton's is one of the four effigies of Northumberland worthies above 43-45 Northumberland Street
in Newcastle.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, seems to have been a country boy seeking his fortune in town.
History
The old saying was:At the Westgate came Thornton in
With a hap, and a halfpenny, and a lambskin.
He lived to become 'the richest marchant that ever was dwelling in Newcastell', and three times mayor of that town. He took the side of Henry IV
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
against the rebel Earl of Northumberland
Earl of Northumberland
The title of Earl of Northumberland was created several times in the Peerages of England and Great Britain, succeeding the title Earl of Northumbria. Its most famous holders were the House of Percy , who were the most powerful noble family in Northern England for much of the Middle Ages...
(in whose cause Hotspur had fallen) and received on 28 July 1405 'in consideration of his services and of the losses he had sustained, and the charges he had borne in the late rebellion of the Earl of Northumberland, and others, the Foucher (Fugar) House in Whickham, as well as other estates in Cleveland.' He was later knighted and represented Newcastle in parliament several times, the last being the fifth year of the reign of Henry V
Henry V of England
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
.
Thornton was a speculator in lead mines, and he was certainly working some in Weardale under lease from the Bishop of Durham in 1401. He was also remembered for his liberality to Newcastle, building a town court and also a Maison Dieu or hospital for poor people in the Sandhill. Thornton died in the Broad Chare in 1429. His monumental brass, of the incised, Flemish type, is now in Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle Cathedral
St Nicholas's Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Its full title is The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas Newcastle upon Tyne...
and is said to be the largest brass in the country. It is certainly one of the finest; Thornton's seven sons and seven daughters appear below the principal figures. Thornton's is one of the four effigies of Northumberland worthies above 43-45 Northumberland Street
Northumberland Street
Northumberland Street is a major shopping street in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the North East of England. It is home to a wide range of different retailers, banks and cafes, and in terms of rental per square metre, Northumberland Street is the most expensive location in the UK outside of...
in Newcastle.