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Dick Whittington and His Cat is the English folklore surrounding the real-life Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423), wealthy merchant and later Lord Mayor of London. [1] The legend describes his rise from poverty-stricken childhood with the fortune he made through the sale of his cat to a rat-infested country.
Dick Whittington was an English merchant and lord mayor of London who became a well-known figure in legend and traditional pantomime. Whittington, who was the son of a knight of Gloucestershire, opened a mercer’s shop in London that supplied velvets and damasks to such notables as Henry Bolingbroke.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Richard Whittington (c. 1354 – March 1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal, City of London, was an English merchant and a politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale Dick Whittington and His Cat.
Richard Whittington, the protagonist of such elaborate fables was in fact Lord Mayor of London, as well as an accomplished wealthy merchant. However, his background could not have been more different from the fictitious rags to riches story many are more familiar with.
Sep 25, 2023 · The titular ‘Dick’ is based on Richard Whittington, the medieval mayor of London who, just like his panto counterpart, left his home in the countryside and made his fortune in the big smoke. But how much of the story, which has captivated theatre-goers for centuries, is drawn from reality?
Sep 17, 2023 · The rags to riches story of the Gloucestershire-born Dick (Richard) Whittington making his fortune in London has entertained people for centuries, particularly at Christmastime in Britain when his tale is turned into pantomimes performed in countless theatres.
Jun 16, 2005 · Learn about the life and legacy of Richard Whittington, a wealthy merchant and four-time mayor of London. Discover how he became a mythical figure with a cat and a catchphrase.
