Christopher Packe

Sir Christopher Packe ( – 27 May 1682) was an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1654. Born in Northamptonshire, he subsequently moved to London and became a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers and the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. In 1655, Packe was knighted and appointed as an commissioner of the Admiralty. A strong ally of Oliver Cromwell, he proposed on 23 February 1656 in the Second Protectorate Parliament the Humble Petition and Advice, which unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Cromwell to crown himself. After the Stuart Restoration, Packe was barred from holding public office and died in 1682. Early life Christopher Packe was son of Thomas Packe of Kettering or Grafton, Northamptonshire, and Catherine his wife, was born . He seems to have been apprenticed at an early age to one John Kendrick, who died in 1624, and left him a legacy of £100. Packe married a kinswoman of his master Kendrick, set up in business in the woollen trade on his own account, and soon amassed a large fortune. He was an influential member of the Drapers' Company, of which he became a freeman, and he served the office of master in 1648. On 9 October 1646, by an ordinance of parliament, he was appointed a trustee for applying the bishops' lands to the use of the Commonwealth. Political career His connection with municipal affairs began on 4 October 1647, when he was elected alderman of Cripplegate ward. On midsummer day 1649 he was chosen one of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and on 2 October following was elected alderman of Cornhill, but declined to desert Cripplegate ward. His wealth, ability, and zeal for the parliamentary cause soon brought him extensive public employment. In 1649, and perhaps earlier, he was one of the commissioners of customs. He was also a prominent member, and subsequently governor, of the Company of Merchant Adventurers, and probably on this account was frequently appointed, with other aldermen, to advise the council in commercial controversies. According to Thomas Burton's 'Diary' (1828, i. 308–10), Packe fought hard at the meeting of the committee of trade on 6 January 1656 – 1657 for the monopoly of the Merchants Adventurers (of which he was then governor) in the woollen trade. The committee, however, decided against him.