Sir Thomas Cooke, Lord Mayor of London

Sir Thomas Cooke
BURIAL
Austin Friars Churchyard
Broad Street, City of London, Greater London, England
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49497647/thomas-cooke

Sir Thomas Cooke was born 1422 Romford, Essex, England and died 1478 in London, Middlesex, England. His parents were Robert Cooke (1392-1423) and Katherine Cooke (1396-1422).

In 1453, he married Elizabeth Maplas (1426-1484), daughter of Philip Malpas and Julian Machyn, in London, Middlesex, England.

With Elizabeth, he had the following children:

• John Cooke, b. 1440 in England
• Philip Cooke, b. 1448 at Giddy or Gidea Hall, Essex, England; m. 1472; d. 1497 at Romford, Essex, England
• Thomas Cooke, b. 1452 at Giddy or Gidea Hall, Essex, England
• William Cooke, b. 1456 at Romford, Essex, England; d. 1478 at Romford
• Thomas Cooke (2nd), b. 1458 at Romford; d. 1478
• Joan Cooke, b. 1460 at Giddy or Gidea Hall, Sussex, England; d. October 15, 1515
• John Cooke, b. 1462 at Romford, Essex, England; d. August 20, 1485 at Romford
• Sir Phillip John Cooke, b. 1473 at Giddy or Gidea Hall, Essex, England; d. October 10, 1516 at London, Middlesex, England

Thomas' father, Robert Cooke, is listed in some genealogies as being Lord Mayor of London. His name does not appear on the official list of Lord Mayors maintained by the office of the Lord Mayor, which can be viewed here. It is probable that he has been confused by some genealogists with his Thomas, who did indeed serve as Lord Mayor of London in 1462.

Sources

• Lubian-Grana, Maite. The Lord Mayor of the City of London. Last modified May 11, 2011. Last accessed August 10, 2011.
  • See full original list of Lord Mayor of London title-holders
• Martin, C. "Family Group: Sir Thomas Cooke." Northern New York Martin Family. Last modified January 4, 2011. Last accessed August 10, 2011. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49497647/thomas-cooke

1.Robert Cooke of Lavenham, Suffolk married Katherine Cooke
issue:

 1. Thomas

    Married Elizabeth Malpas daughter of Philip Malpas, draper of London

 2. Lawrence

will 15 Apr.- 1 June 1478
bur. Church of the Augustine Friars, London
Thomas came to London and became a member of the Drapers' Company and soon became very rich. The first mention of him is on 10 Sept. 1423 when Thomas Cooke, a citizen and draper of London, and Thomas Langford, a citizen and barber of London, were creditors to John Bloomville, a citizen and stockfishmonger of London for £46/16/4. John evidently was imprisoned by Simon Seaman and John Beachwater, sheriffs of London. Upon returning for the inquisition at the Guildhall in London on 13 Dec. 1424 poor John had no lands or tenements in the bailiwick and no goods or chattels. His creditors did find that he had a tenement with five shops annexed to it worth 5 marks in Southwark. (5) Thomas Cooke and Henry Bray, citizens and drapers of London were owed £120 by John Icklington, citizen and grocer of London, and John Ram of Halstow in Kent, husbandman, taken 4 Feb. 1437/8. The sheriff replied that the two debtors were dead and had no goods in the bailiwick, however, John Icklington had 2 messuages, 40 acres of land, 150 acres of marsh, 3 acres of woodland, and a rent of 10/ in Erith. After his death William Crosby entered the tenement, but Isabelle, the wife of John Icklington, held a third part of it as dower. The two other parts were worth 4 marks a year. John Ram had no lands or tenements. (6) In 1439 Thomas appears in the grant of arms to the Drapers' Company as one of the four wardens of the company. We next find him in June 1450 as agent to Jack Cade, who was encamped on Blackheath and opened communications with the city. Cooke was requested by the rebels to tax the foreign merchants, to supply them with horses, accoutrements, weapons, and money. Although in sympathy with the Yorkists, Thomas married Elizabeth, daughter and coheiress of Alderman Philip Malpas, one of the leaders of the Lacastrian party within the city.(17)

Thomas Cook the younger, citizen and draper of London was listed as a creditor to Roger Pierpont of Norfolk, Gent. for £95, 25 July 1451. (3) The sheriff produced a schedule 31 July 1455 at Lynn, Norfolk when he extended the manor of Hardwick, Norfolk and five messuages, a marsh called Wadhowmarsh in North Lynn, which belonged to Roger Pierpont. The manor was worth £26 a year and the messuages 3/4 and the marsh £5.(13) On 20 Mar. 1452 Thomas Cook, citizen and draper of London, dwelling in the parish of St. Christopher, London was creditor for £29 owed by John Middleton of Egham, Surrey, gent., and John Ereton, citizen and goldsmith of London. (14) As time went by, the loans Thomas gave out became larger. One of his debtors, Thomas Minton, of Colchester, Essex on 17 Oct. 1456 owed £300 to Thomas Cooke, citizen and draper of London, dwelling in the parish of St. Christopher, London. (7) On 18 Nov. 1459 a letter of attorney was sent by Thomas Caterall, chaplain, son of John Caterall, deceased, to Alan Caterall, gent., his brother to act in the name of Thomas Caterall with John Walsh, Thomas Cook, senior, citizen and merchant of London, and Richard Walsh, gent., and to deliver seisin of a close called Stubbynges with a cottage and croft in Claghton and Caterall, lately belonging to William Wedakyr (Whittaker). (16)
Thomas was sheriff in 1453, was elected alderman of Vintry ward in 1454 and Lord Mayor of London in 1462 as well as a member of Parliament. Thomas Cooke, alderman, citizen and draper of London was creditor for £10 to John Borell, formerly of Chelmsford, Essex, yeoman. (15) In May 1465 he was created a Knight of the Bath by Edward IV upon the coronation of his queen, Elizabeth. On 29 May 1465 Richard Brakyngburgh of Heigham next to Norwich, Norfolk, clerk, Thomas Thoms of Studdal near Dover, Kent, esquire, and William Chapman of London, gent., borrowed 40 marks from Thomas Cooke, citizen and alderman of London. (8)

Gidea Hall in 1637 during the visit of Queen Marie de Medici
Gidea Hall prior to being demolished in 1930
In 1467 Sir Thomas began to build Gidea or Guiddy Hall near Romford which was finished by his great- grandson Anthony. Thomas obtained a license for fortifying and embattling it, however, due to his subsequent misfortunes he completed only the front. By the time Maria de Medici visited the home in 1638 it was already falling into decay. By the time of the Commonwealth the buildings were in ruins, however, they were not finally demolished until 1720 when the mansion was built on the site which was demolished in 1930. Part of the Gidea Hall estate is part of the Bedford's Park wildlife centre.

Being a draper by trade he had extensive dealings with foreign ports. An odd clause appears in his father in law's will in 1469 in which Malpas disavows any responsibility for "the tarying or taking of Sir Thomas Cooke's ship and goods" when he was last upon the sea, even though he was in the ship at the time. Thomas' will shows that he owned at least four brewhouses, taverns, and beerhouses, besides fishing weirs on the Colne, a large farm at Gidea Hall, and numerous properties and manors in London, Surrey, Essex and Kent. His residence was in the parish of St. Peter the Poor, Old Broad Street, where he had a "grete place" which he afterwards sold to Robert hardyng, goldsmith. There is a case in the Chancery records concerning Philip Cook, son of Thomas Cook, knight, and Elizabeth, his wife vs. George, son of Thomas, brother of Sir Ralph Joslen, knight, deceased concerning the Manor of Chaldwell and houses and land in London and Southwark of the late Philip Malpas of London, merchant.(4) The Broad Street ward was one of 25 wards in the City of London and was divided into ten precincts and contained six churches, only two of which are still standing. St. Peter le Poer was demolished in 1907. It was a busy commercial area and contained the Livery Halls of the Carpenters and the Drapers.
St. Peter le Poer

In 1467 Thomas was impeached for high treason for lending money to Margaret, the queen of Henry VI. One Hawkins, who was tortured on the rack, was the only witness against him. Chief Justice Markham directed the jury to find it only misprision of treason, whereby Thomas saved his land and life, however, he was heavily fined and imprisoned. While awaiting trial in the Tower his effects at his town house and at Gidea Hall were seized by Lord Rivers, the treasurer of England, and his wife was committed to the custody of the mayor. Upon his acquittal he was sent to the Broad Street compter, and then to the King's Bench, and was kept there until he paid £8,000 to the King and £800 to the Queen. Lord Rivers and his wife, the Duchess of Bedforde, also obtained the dismissal of Markham from his office for having given Thomas a not guilty verdict. In Dec. 1468 Thomas, then alderman of his own ward of Broad Street, was discharged of his office by order of the king but was reinstated in Oct. 1469. Thomas was a member of the Parliament that met on 26 Nov. 1470 on the temporary restoration of Henry VI and he put in a bill for the restoration of certain lands, to the value of 22,000 marks "which he had good comfort to have ben allowyd of King Henry if he had prosperyd. And the rather for yt he was of the comon house, and therwith a man of great boldnesse of speke and well spoken, and syngulerly wytted and well reasoned." In 1471 Thomas acted as deputy to Sir John Stockton, the Lord Mayor, who fearing the return of King Edward feigned sickness and kept his house. Edward returned in April and Thomas, attempting to leave the country for France was taken with his son by a ship of Flanders where he was kept in prison for many days and afterwards delivered up to King Edward. Thomas lived another seven years after this, although he was probably heavily fined. About this time there is an entry in the Chancery for Thomas Cook, knight, lately a prisoner vs. Robert Hardyng, of London, goldsmith, concerning the manors of Knolle in Cranley and Watvyles in Chelsham, a messuage and shops in the parish of St. Peter the Poor, Broad Street ward, London. (10) On 24 Mar. 6 Edward IV is a grant by Thomas Cook, knight, alderman of London, to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Hulyn, Ralph Vernay, citizens and alderman of London, Thomas Ursewyk, Recorder of London, William Edward, citizen and alderman of London, Robert Symson, citizen and draper of London, and Thomas Rigby, gentleman, of his wall called ' Galyonshope,' in the marsh called 'Westmerssh' of Berkyng, on the banks of the Thames, together with lands, &c., in Barking, Esthamme, and Wolwiche. Witnesses:- William Tyrell, knight, and others.(1) In the records of the Exchequer 17 Edward IV is an entry from Thomas Cook, knight to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Josselyn, and William Hyde concerning rents of William Mundene of Ware, Herts. (9) Ralph Josselyn, knight then brought a case against Thomas Cook, knight, also Guy Fairfax and Richard Pigott, sergeants of the law concerning the manor of Haghams, and lands in Lamborne, Chigwell, Theydon Boyes, Rothing St. Botolph, and Stapleford Abbot, "the Swan" in Brentwood, Essex, a manor called "the Mote" in Essex, the manor of Wateviles, Surrey, the manor of Redene, in Havering in the parish of Hornchurch, Essex, the manor called Erles, alias Bedfordes and a tenement called "Tylehous" and land in Havering, Essex. (12) Also at this time is an entry in the Chancery pleadings addressed to the Bishop of Lincoln as Lord Chancellor from Thomas Cook, knight against John Malbourgh concerning unpaid puchase money for messuages and land in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. (11) In 1483 when the Duke of Buckinham addressed the citizens of Longs in the Guildhall in favor of the pretensions of Richard III to the throne he referred at length to the sufferings and losses of Sir Thomas as a notable instance of the tyranny of the late king.

Sir Thomas died in 1478 and was buried in the church of the Augustine Friars within the ward of Broad Street.

Watvyles in Chelsham, a messuage and shops in the parish of St. Peter the Poor, Broad Street ward, London. (10) On 24 Mar. 6 Edward IV is a grant by Thomas Cook, knight, alderman of London, to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Hulyn, Ralph Vernay, citizens and alderman of London, Thomas Ursewyk, Recorder of London, William Edward, citizen and alderman of London, Robert Symson, citizen and draper of London, and Thomas Rigby, gentleman, of his wall called ' Galyonshope,' in the marsh called 'Westmerssh' of Berkyng, on the banks of the Thames, together with lands, &c., in Barking, Esthamme, and Wolwiche. Witnesses:- William Tyrell, knight, and others.(1) In the records of the Exchequer 17 Edward IV is an entry from Thomas Cook, knight to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Josselyn, and William Hyde concerning rents of William Mundene of Ware, Herts. (9) Ralph Josselyn, knight then brought a case against Thomas Cook, knight, also Guy Fairfax and Richard Pigott, sergeants of the law concerning the manor of Haghams, and lands in Lamborne, Chigwell, Theydon Boyes, Rothing St. Botolph, and Stapleford Abbot, "the Swan" in Brentwood, Essex, a manor called "the Mote" in Essex, the manor of Wateviles, Surrey, the manor of Redene, in Havering in the parish of Hornchurch, Essex, the manor called Erles, alias Bedfordes and a tenement called "Tylehous" and land in Havering, Essex. (12) Also at this time is an entry in the Chancery pleadings addressed to the Bishop of Lincoln as Lord Chancellor from Thomas Cook, knight against John Malbourgh concerning unpaid puchase money for messuages and land in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. (11)

(10) On 24 Mar. 6 Edward IV is a grant by Thomas Cook, knight, alderman of London, to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Hulyn, Ralph Vernay, citizens and alderman of London, Thomas Ursewyk, Recorder of London, William Edward, citizen and alderman of London, Robert Symson, citizen and draper of London, and Thomas Rigby, gentleman, of his wall called ' Galyonshope,' in the marsh called 'Westmerssh' of Berkyng, on the banks of the Thames, together with lands, &c., in Barking, Esthamme, and Wolwiche. Witnesses:- William Tyrell, knight, and others.(1) In the records of the Exchequer 17 Edward IV is an entry from Thomas Cook, knight to Ralph Josselyn, knight, William Josselyn, and William Hyde concerning rents of William Mundene of Ware, Herts. (9) Ralph Josselyn, knight then brought a case against Thomas Cook, knight, also Guy Fairfax and Richard Pigott, sergeants of the law concerning the manor of Haghams, and lands in Lamborne, Chigwell, Theydon Boyes, Rothing St. Botolph, and Stapleford Abbot, "the Swan" in Brentwood, Essex, a manor called "the Mote" in Essex, the manor of Wateviles, Surrey, the manor of Redene, in Havering in the parish of Hornchurch, Essex, the manor called Erles, alias Bedfordes and a tenement called "Tylehous" and land in Havering, Essex.

(12) Also at this time is an entry in the Chancery pleadings addressed to the Bishop of Lincoln as Lord Chancellor from Thomas Cook, knight against John Malbourgh concerning unpaid puchase money for messuages and land in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.

(11) In 1483 when the Duke of Buckinham addressed the citizens of Longs in the Guildhall in favor of the pretensions of Richard III to the throne he referred at length to the sufferings and losses of Sir Thomas as a notable instance of the tyranny of the late king.
Sir Thomas died in 1478 and was buried in the church of the Augustine Friars within the ward of Broad
Street. (18)
Issue-
In the Chancery pleadings addressed to John Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Chancellor, John Foster, esq. and Laurence Teste, citizen and draper of London vs. Philip, son, heir, and executor of Thomas Cooke, knight, late of London for failing to save the complaintants harmless against Robert Hardyng, citizen, goldsmith, and alderman of London, to whom the said Thomas Cooke sold land. Dated 1483-85. (2)
In the Chancery pleadings addressed to William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury as Lord Chancellor, John, son and heir of Philip Cooke, knight, son of Thomas Cooke, knight vs. Alice Trethale, prioress of Great St. Helens concerning a refusal to grant a new lease of houses in place of an old one surrendered by the said Philip of London. This document is dated between 1504 and 1515.(1)

Sir Thomas Cooke (died 1478) was an English merchant and Lord Mayor of London.

He was born the son of Robert Cooke of Lavenham in Suffolk and moved to London to become a draper.

He was made Sheriff of London for 1453–54, an alderman from 1456 and Member of Parliament for the City of London in 1460 and 1470. He was elected Lord Mayor of London for 1462–63 and knighted in 1465. In 1467 he began to build a mansion called Gidea Hall, near Romford in Essex, which was only completed by his descendant, Sir Anthony Cooke.

In 1467 he was charged with high treason for lending money to Margaret, the queen of the deposed Lancastrian King Henry VI, on the strength of a confession of a statement obtained under torture from one Hawkins. Chief Justice Markham directed the jury to find it only misprision of treason, whereby Cooke's lands and life were saved, though he was heavily fined and long imprisoned. While awaiting his trial in the Tower his effects, both at his town house and at Gidea Hall, were seized by Lord Rivers, then treasurer of England, and his wife was committed to the custody of the mayor. On his acquittal he was sent to the Bread Street compter, and afterwards to the king's bench, and was kept there until he paid eight thousand pounds to the king and eight hundred pounds to the queen. Lord Rivers and his wife, the Duchess of Bedford, also obtained the dismissal of Markham from his office for having determined that Cooke was not guilty of treason.

He died in 1478 and was buried in the church of the Augustine friars, within the ward of Broad Street in London. He had married Elizabeth, the daughter and coheiress of Alderman Philip Malpas, one of the leaders of the Lancastrian party within the city. They had one daughter and four sons, the eldest of whom was Philip, who was afterwards knighted. Thomas Cooke's will stated that he owned at least four brewhouses, taverns, and beerhouses, besides fishing weirs on the Colne, a large farm at Gidea Hall, and numerous properties and manors in London, Surrey, Essex, and Kent.