Family and Education

b. by 1475.2

Offices Held

Sheriff, Gloucester 1495-6, 1507-8, alderman 1504-d.; commr. subsidy 1512, 1515.3

Biography

In 1493-4 William Goldsmith alias Smith was entrusted with Gloucester corporation business during a visit to London and in the following years played an important part in the town’s affairs even though he never became mayor. By trade a goldsmith and a merchant, he received a pardon at the accession of Henry VIII. He leased property outside the town from the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, and owned some in Much Marcle, Herefordshire, and Worcester. Walter Rowdon in his will dated 9 May 1513 forgave Goldsmith the money owing to him. After the dissolution of the Parliament, Goldsmith and his fellow-Member Robert Cole nominated the collectors for the subsidy they had helped to grant. Goldsmith died on 16 Apr. 1517: if he made a will, it has not survived.4

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: A. D.K. Hawkyard

Notes

• 1. E179/279/2 m. 7.
• 2. Date of birth estimated from first reference.
• 3. Statutes, iii. 82, 171; Gloucester Guildhall 1375, ff. 26v, 28.
• 4. Bristol and Glos. Arch. Soc. Trans. lxvii. 259; LP Hen. VIII, i; Gloucester Guildhall 1306; 1375, f. 28; PCC 1 Holder; E179/279/2 m. 7.