Richard Whittington

1354–1423

Richard Whittington was a medieval merchant and civic leader who served several terms as mayor of London. His wealth came from trade and royal finance, while later folklore transformed him into Dick Whittington, the poor boy who rises through fortune and a famous cat.

Richard Whittington also held the offices or ranks of Sheriff of the City of London and Lord Mayor of London. Richard Whittington was born in Gloucestershire and died in London.

Philip Gooden’s A Knight and a Spy 1410, A Knight and a Spy 1411, A Knight and a Spy 1412, A Knight and a Spy 1413 and A Knight and a Spy 1414 use Richard Whittington as one of the fixed political and civic figures in the London through which the series’ espionage plots move. His wealth, repeated mayoralties and relationship with the Lancastrian monarchy make him a natural intermediary between crown, merchants and city government, so the novels can place their fictional agents inside the real institutions of early fifteenth-century London.

Periods

Periods linked to Richard Whittington

Late Medievalc. 1300–1500 CE

Series

Historical novels and book series featuring Richard Whittington (1 series)

The Road to Agincourt- King’s Spy in Order

by Simon Fairfax 6 books 4.4(5,800)

The Road to Agincourt: King’s Spy follows Sir James de Grispere through the final years before Henry V’s French campaign. Beginning under the failing rule of Henry IV and ending at Agincourt, the sequence combines court espionage, diplomatic missions, Channel piracy, Lollard conspiracy, the Western Schism and the…