William Dauntesey facts for kids

Alderman William Dauntesey (or Dauntsey) was a London merchant and Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers.

A merchant of the Staple at Calais, he was the son of John Dauntesey of West Lavington in Wiltshire.

He died in April 1542. By a Will dated 10 March 1542, Dauntesey gave land in London to the Mercers' Company so that they could build a schoolhouse for a grammar school at West Lavington, and support seven poor people in an almshouse. The school continues today as the private Dauntsey's School.

Part of the bequest reads:

I William Dauntesey Citizen and Alderman of the Cities of London ... will that in West Lavington a house called a church house and a house for a schole be kept ... and that Ambrose Dauntesey shall name and appoint one apt and convenient person to teach gramer in the Schole house...