Lionel Duckett

Who was Lionel Duckett?

Lionel Duckett was one of the Merchant adventurers of the City of London. He was four times Master of the Mercers' Company, and Lord Mayor of London.

He was born in 1511 to William Duckett of Flintham, Nottinghamshire and his wife Jane, of Harwood Castle, Yorkshire. He served an apprenticeship with John Colet, of the Mercers' Company of the City of London, and was granted the freedom of the Company in 1537.

He became enormously wealthy through his trading. He subscribed to Martin Frobisher's three voyages in search of the North-West Passage and to John Hawkins' voyage of 1562 which led to the formation of the Africa Company. In 1553, he acquired monastic and chantry lands in Surrey, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. In 1556, he also acquired lands in Somerset and Devon. In 1572, he bought the manor of Calne, Wiltshire. He later acquired property in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, and Kent.

In 1565 he served as a Sheriff of London. In 1566, he also became Master of the Mercers' Company - a position he also held in 1571, 1577, and 1583. The same year, he became Lord Mayor of London.

He died in August 1587 and his will was proved on 20 February 1588.