Adam Bamme

Adam Bamme (d. 1397) was an English goldsmith and politician who served two non-consecutive terms as Lord Mayor of London in the 14th century.

Early career

Bamme's early origins are completely obscure, with nothing known about him prior to 1369.^[1] A member of the Goldsmiths' Company, he gained a reputation for skillful workmanship that earned him a place as a chief supplier to the household of John of Gaunt.^[1]

Marriages and family

Bamme is known to have married twice. His first wife, who he married in 1375, was the widow of another goldsmith, while his second was a thrice-widowed, wealthy heiress, the daughter of John Stodeye, MP.^[1] He had one son, Sir Richard Bamme, whose son in turn would serve as High Sheriff of Kent.^[2] Another goldsmith, Henry Bamme, may have been his brother; the latter succeeded him as alderman of Aldersgate.^[3]

Political career

Bamme held a variety of political offices over the course of his life. He was one of the Sheriffs of the City of London in 1382-3, and an alderman for, successively, Aldersgate Ward (1382-3), Cripplegate Ward (1384-5, 1387-8), Cheap Ward (1388-1393), and Lime Street Ward (1393 until his death).^[1]

Bamme served his first term as mayor in 1390, succeeding William Venour. During this term, Bamme negotiated the purchase of a very large quantity of grain to store in anticipation of future shortages in the city.^[4] This act was quite popular with the city's citizens, and helped gain Bamme a second term in 1397. Also during his first term, he issued a proclamation to silence the ongoing political dispute between the supporters of two previous mayors, Nicholas Brembre and John Northampton.^[5]

Death

Bamme did not finish his second term as mayor. He died in office on 6 June 1397, and Richard II chose his replacement, Richard Whittington.^[4][6] He was buried at St George Botolph Lane.^[1]

References