3. Sir William Sevenoke, grocer. “A foundling, found under seven oaks.” He fought with the dauphin, and built twenty almshouses, etc. (Lord Mayor, 1418).
4. Sir Thomas White, merchant tailor, who, during the mayoralty in 1553, kept London faithful to Queen Mary during Wyatt’s rebellion. Sir Thomas White was the son of a poor clothier, and began trade as a tailor with £100. He was the founder of St. John’s College, Oxford, on the spot where two elms grew from one root.
5. Sir John Bonham, mercer, commander of the army which overcame Solyman the Great, who knighted him on the field after the victory, and gave him chains of gold, etc.
6. Sir Christopher Croker, vintner, the first to enter Bordeaux, when it was besieged. Companion and friend of Edward the Black Prince.
7. Sir John Hawkwood, tailor, knighted by the Black Prince. He is immortalized in Italian history as Giovanni Acuti Cavaliero. He died in Padua.
8. Sir Hugh Caverley, silk-weaver, famous for ridding Poland of a monstrous bear. He died in France.
9. Sir Henry Maleverer, grocer, generally called “Henry of Cornhill,” a crusader in the reign of Henry IV., and guardian of “Jacob’s Well.”--R. Johnson, The Nine Worthies of London (1592).
Worthington (Lieutenant), “the poor gentleman;” a disabled officer and a widower, very poor, “but more proud than poor, and more honest than proud.” He was for thirty years in the king’s army, but was discharged on half-pay, being disabled at Gibraltar by a shell which crushed his arm. His wife was shot in his arms when his daughter was but three years old. The lieutenant put his name to a bill for £500; but his friend dying before he had effected his insurance Worthington became responsible for the entire sum, and if Sir Robert Bramble had not most generously paid the bill the poor lieutenant would have been thrown into jail.
Emily Worthington, the lieutenant’s daughter; a lovely, artless, affectionate girl, with sympathy for every one, and a most amiable disposition. Sir Charles Cropland tried to buy her, but she rejected his proposals with scorn, and fell in love with Frederick Bramble, to whom she was given in marriage.--C. Colman, The Poor Gentleman (1802).
Worthy, in love with Melinda, who coquets with him for twelve months, and then marries him.--G. Farquhar, The Recruiting Officer (1705).