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This series of nine short plays, written and recorded by Alan Morgan, detail the life of Dick Whittington as would be imagined by the man himself.

Episode One

Richard Whittington, an old man, looks back on his life as he begins to dictate his memoirs to John Carpenter - the Common Clerk who later became the chief executor of Whittington's legacy.

In this first episode we hear about Dick's early memories of the family at Pauntley. He discusses why he left home and why he decided to go to London. He also talks of the road conditions and the duration of the journey.

Unlike the legend, our Dick joins Cedric - a carter - with his wagon of wool, being transported to the dockside warehouse in London, to he shipped via the Calais staple to the continent of Europe.

You can listen to the first episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Two

Richard talks of the journey to London, recalling in flashbacks the people he and Cedric met on the way, the condition of the various hostelries. He also sheds light on the tarts and other dubious characters he encountered in the inns en route. Cedric the wagoner has some other yarns to tell too!

Eventually the capital is reached as Richard, Cedric and the wagon cross London Bridge. 'Where to now?' asks Cedric. 'Where indeed?' replies Dick ...

You can listen to the second episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Three

Cedric and Richard arrive in London. There, Richard describes the sights and sounds of the medieval city before the wagoner move to the Thames-side wharf to deliver his wool.

It is there amongst the hustle and bustle of the dockside activity that Dick seeks employment and is introduced by Cedric to one of the merchants there.

The prospective employer is staggered to discover Dick is one of the Whittington family. 'Who are you, sir?' asks the bewildered young Whittington, but the only reply he gets is a mysterious 'Damn me! But that's what I call fate!' ...

You can listen to the third episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Four

Dick's prospective employer is revealed as Sir William Warren, a mercer and a relative. Dick learns something about the delights of Mercery and is given a stark choice. 'The choice is yours ... It's the stench of the city or the sight and satisfaction of the silk purse. Which will is be?'

You can listen to the fourth episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Five

Dick reflects on his rise to importance as a mercer, as a member of the Company of Mercers and his acquisition of wealth.

He remembers too his influential friends - Burley and de Vere, and particularly his friendship with King Richard II. It was King Richard who had first appointed him Mayor of London.

However, just when he seemed to be at the peak of success and authority, the tide of fortune turned. Burley and de Vere were 'removed, Richard II was deposed and Dick's wife Alice died. A widower of over twenty years, the pain of her death never left him.

Dick picked himself up as best he could - especially when his career was about to take another twist ...

You can listen to the fifth episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Six

Dick reflects on the delights and disappointments of his time as a mercer - the lost friendship of the deposed King, the tragic loss of his wife and the loss of money still owed to him by Richard II.

However, King Henry IV repaid his predecessor's debt in a most curious way. He allowed Dick to collect the tax on exports and to keep the money until the debt was repaid.

King Henry IV also bought from the mercer, so the debt mounted. Dick was apparently quite happy to be one of those to whom Henry IV and V were indebted, as it brought him status in society and some interesting royal commissions - including supervising the building of the nave of Westminster Abbey.

He recalls also being chosen by his colleagues to be Mayor of London three more times. Amongst the memories he has, is the banquet in honour of Henry V's victory at Agincourt. Away from the pageantry of being Mayor, there was a more serious side of the post ...

You can listen to the sixth episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Seven

Leaving behind the memories of the pomp and pageantry for the mayoralty, Dick now talks of the unglamorous side of the position - work in the common council. In a series of flashbacks we get an idea of the cases he had to make judgment on and the punishments he meted out.

The grave responsibilities which he had however were nothing compared with a previous mayor - an energetic fishmonger named William Wallworth. Dick is anxious to include the tale of Wallworth to show something of the awesome responsibility of being Mayor of London. However, his clerk John Carpenter dissuades him for the present.

Instead, Dick observes that although colleagues applaud his lead, there are disgruntled Londoners who meet at the Moot, and whinge about their lot. But then 'at the Moot, when all is said and done ... so much is said, so little done'.

You can listen to the seventh episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode Eight

Being Mayor of London brings the office holder face to face with national crises - especially as one square mile of the city is so important in national life and is home to the largest population in the land.

Unrest which may begin in neighbouring counties and towns will inevitably spill into the great city and involve its mayor - as William Wallworth had discovered when faced with the Peasants' Revolt ...

You can listen to the eighth episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.

Episode nine

Dick - a widower for many years and childless - determines that his wealth shall be devoted to the city and particularly to the poor and destitute. Almost 600 years later that legacy lives on ...

You can listen to the ninth and final episode of the play by clicking on the audio link at the top right of this page.