Dick Whittington was a real person,who lived
from about 1350 to 1423, and he was indeed
Mayor of London. There are many variations of
the story based on a play produced in 1606
with later additions and evolution over
hundreds of years.He was never actually 'Lord'
Mayor, as that title was not used until a much
later period, but the Mayor was a very
important position: the holder was head of
government for the City of London.Usually the
story is 3 times Lord Mayor. He was Mayor 4
times.
Near the foot of Highgate Hill is the famous
Whittington stone, which is supposed to
mark the point where Dick Whittington, on his
way out of London, heard the sound of bow
bells chiming 'turn again Whittington, Lord
Mayor of London' and decided to return to the
city.
The cat is harder to explain; there is no
evidence that Dick Whittington ever had a cat.
Maybe the association with the animal arose
from the type of boat he used for trading,
known as a 'cat'.
The present sculpted cat on the top of the
stone was not added until 1964.
The story first appeared nearly 200 years
after Whittington's death.
Other characters were added, and Dick
Whittington became a favourite pantomime in
the 19th century.
Many legends surround Old Highgate and
Hampstead, and there is an old belief that if
Whittington's Stone is ever removed or if any
harm should befall it, great change and
disaster will fall upon the neighbouring area.
Of course, this myth is probably based upon
the fact that the Stone is one of Highgate's
oldest landmarks, and therefore, it would be
bad luck to remove it.
The real Richard Whittington was apprenticed
to the Mercers' Company in the City of London.
He became a successful trader, dealing in
valuable imports such as silks and velvets.
All his goods would have entered London
through the river quays.
Whittington was three times Master of the
Mercers' Company and four times Mayor of
London.
Richard II and his successor Henry IV were
important customers for Whittington. He
supplied silks for the wedding dresses of the
daughters of Henry IV.
Richard Whittington's fortune was used for
many charitable purposes, including almshouses,
a library, and also public works such as
improvement to the water supply and a public
lavatory. The Whittington Charity still
exists, and provides housing and financial
help. read more