John Alleyn (mercer)

John Alleyn was the eldest son of Richard Alleyn of Thaxted. He had two brothers, Christopher and John; it was not unknown at this time for families to have two sons with the same given name. His brothers both married daughters (and co-heirs) of Giles Leigh of Walton Leigh.^[2]

Alleyn became a successful mercer in London, where he was elected as one of the Sheriffs of London in 1518.^[3] He was elected to his first term as Lord Mayor in 1525, and to a second term in 1535.^[2] He was later chosen to join the Privy Council of King Henry VIII.^[3] He was one of the principal benefactors of the 16th-century rebuilding of the Hospital of St Thomas of Acre, where he was later interred.^[4] He also left a rich golden collar to be worn by Lord Mayors of London.^[5]

Alleyn died in 1544 and was buried at a chapel which he had built in St Thomas Acres.^[2] He had no legitimate children, but he did have two illegitimate sons and one daughter. The elder son, Christopher Alleyn, inherited sufficient wealth to secure his status in society, becoming a Member of Parliament and marrying a daughter of William Paget, 1st Baron Paget.^[6] Part of Alleyn's estate went to his brother John Alleyn, junior, ancestor of the Alleyn baronets.^[2]