A favourite corner of Warwick, Warwickshire.
One of the few corners of Warwick that escaped the Great Fire of Warwick of 1694.
Thomas Oken's House.
Thomas Oken (d.1573) came from a humble family, but became the richest man in Warwick, making his fortune dealing in wool and woven fabrics. He lived during the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, during a period of great religious change and social upheaval.
Oken was married but died childless, and left his personal fortune to the town. His will arranged – amongst other things – for the payment of the salary of the schoolmaster, annual payments to ‘the poor’, the paving of certain streets, the repairing of the bridge, the wages of the herdsmen and the beadle, the repairing of the wells and the provision of a number of almshouses. The Thomas Oken Charity is still in existence today – and still owns this building, the rent for which goes towards good causes for the benefit of Warwick people.
In his will, Thomas Oken also provided for the spending of £1 annually on a feast, preceded by a service at St. Mary’s. The annual feast still goes on to this day, during which a toast is always given to Thomas Oken’s memory!
A favourite corner of Warwick, Warwickshire.
One of the few corners of Warwick that escaped the Great Fire of Warwick of 1694.
Thomas Oken's House.
Thomas Oken (d.1573) came from a humble family, but became the richest man in Warwick, making his fortune dealing in wool and woven fabrics. He lived during the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, during a period of great religious change and social upheaval.
Oken was married but died childless, and left his personal fortune to the town. His will arranged – amongst other things – for the payment of the salary of the schoolmaster, annual payments to ‘the poor’, the paving of certain streets, the repairing of the bridge, the wages of the herdsmen and the beadle, the repairing of the wells and the provision of a number of almshouses. The Thomas Oken Charity is still in existence today – and still owns this building, the rent for which goes towards good causes for the benefit of Warwick people.
In his will, Thomas Oken also provided for the spending of £1 annually on a feast, preceded by a service at St. Mary’s. The annual feast still goes on to this day, during which a toast is always given to Thomas Oken’s memory!