John Tresilian

John Tresilian (c. 1450 – after 1515) was a British master smith who worked for

Edward IV of England

.

All we know about Tresilian comes through few documents in Windsor Castle and his surviving handiwork. His name is Cornish but the dates of his birth and death unclear.

According to official documents, John Tresilian was a "principal smith" that worked in Windsor Castle from 1477-1484. His annual wage was £24 5s or 16 pence a day. Documents mention him in connection to a 1479 creation of a large anvil that was brought to Windsor. In the King's Book of Payments for the year 1515 Tresilian was paid 30s 5d for clockmaking. He probably died within a couple of years. His successor was Anthony Trassillion, who might have been his son.

Other clues are based on his unique handiwork. Based on the craftsmanship, Tresilian was involved with making gates to Edward IVs tomb and suite of door furniture for his chantry at

Quentin Metsys (who lived 1466-1530). Tresilian's other works would be the lock and ring plates to the door of Edward IVs chantry, the lock plates originally on the north and south sides of the choir and Henry VI offertory

.

References

Notes

^ Harry W Blackburne; Maurice Bond, The romance of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Published for the Society of the Friends of St. George's Chapel by Oxley, 1976, OCLC Number: 11267322

Sources

Jane Geddes, "The Search for John Tresilian, Master Smith to Edward IV" (History Today April 2002)

[1] Harry W Blackburne; Maurice Bond, The romance of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Published for the Society of the Friends of St. George's Chapel by Oxley, 1976, OCLC Number: 11267322