Thomas Gare

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Thomas Gare was an English merchant and politician from York who served as a Member of Parliament for the city of York on two occasions. He was born in York to William Gare, a mercer, and his brother John; both were granted the freedom of the city in 1385.

He held several local offices: bailiff (1393–94), member of the council of 23 (1415–17), member of the council of 12 from 1419, and lord mayor (1420–21). Gare served as MP for York first in 1419 and again in December 1421–1422.

Gare built his wealth through trade. He worked with a York-Hull group trading wool to Middelburg in the Netherlands in 1388, and also sold cloth produced by his own workers. His business reached as far as Newcastle upon Tyne, and he dealt in herring, wine, woad, Spanish iron and coal. He helped found the York Guild of Corpus Christi in 1408.

With his wealth, Gare invested in property. He owned lands in York at Nether Ousegate, Coney Street and Upper Ousegate, and even held property in Calais. He bought lands at Newland near Easington in Northumberland in 1436. He was generous with donations, notably to the Austin Friars of York to build a dormitory.

He was married to Katherine and had four children: two sons and two daughters.