Thomas Skinner

Thomas Skinner (died 30 December 1596) was a master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and a London Alderman. He was elected Sheriff in 1587 and Lord Mayor of London in 1596. He gave to several hospitals in and about London.

Early life Skinner was the son of John Skinner, of Saffron Waldron, and married Blanche, daughter of William Watson, merchant to Queen Elizabeth I.

At this time the Queen applied to the City to provide ten ships as part of the City's contribution towards the Anglo-Spanish War. Earlier in the year, the Queen had made demands upon the Londoners for soldiers to assist her to reinforce the town of Flushing in the Netherlands, which as usual had been complied with, but the demand for ships at the close of the year had to be refused. The City's reply to the Queen's Council set forth the utter inability of the citizens, however ever willing they might be, to supply more ships. "They had already expended on sea service alone, and irrespective of their disbursements in 1588 [the Armada year] no less a sum than 100,000 marks within the last few years, so that the Lords of the Council would see that the citizens had not been wanting in good will and affection towards that service".

The City was in debt to the extent of £14,000 and unable to assist the Queen.

Death and legacy In his will, Skinner left the sum of £20 to the Clothworkers Company for a dinner after attending his funeral, and to the several hospitals in and about London £120 to be equally divided among them. He was also a liberal benefactor to Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

John Stow says that he was buried in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Milk Street, and that a handsome monument erected to his memory bore the following inscription:—"Here lieth ye Corpes of Thomas Skynner late Citizen & Alderman of London, borne at Saffron Walden in Essex who in the 65 yeare of his age & on the 30 day of Decebr A Dm 1596 being then Lo Mayor of this Citye deptd this Life leaving behinde him 3 Sonnes & 3 daughters."

Two of his sons, John and Thomas, were knighted on the coronation of James I, at Whitehall, 23 July 1603.