ROBINSON, William II (1534-1616), of York.

Robinson was a wealthy merchant who traded through the Sound. As sheriff of York in 1569, he was censured by the mayor and corporation for not wearing a crimson gown. To the request that he obtain the ‘said decent apparel’ he made dilatory answers ‘sounding to a flat denial’, and was finally threatened with the closing of his shop and a £20 fine. In Parliament Robinson was appointed to committees on the subsidy (24 Feb. 1585, 11 Feb. 1589), Orford harbour (13 Feb. 1589), Lincoln (11 Mar. 1589) and another the same day on salted fish and herrings, a subject in which York had a special interest. He was put down for £50 towards the Queen’s loan in 1590, and his will, dated 17 Dec. 1614, indicates his prosperity. He owned houses and orchards in York, and at least four manors in other parts of the county. He left a number of charitable bequests and small personal legacies. He died on 1 Aug. 1616, and was buried in his parish church of St. Crux.York City Lib., Skaife mss; Glover, Vis. Yorks.99; Vis. Yorks. (Surtees Soc. xxxvi), 207; York Mercers (Surtees Soc. cxxix), 193, 195, 201, 324; York Freemen (Surtees Soc. xcvi), 278; (cii), 4, 22, 36; HMC Hatfield, ix. 397; xv. 395; D’Ewes, 356, 431, 432, 444, 445; York wills 34, f. 170; J. J. Cartwright, Chapters in Yorks. Hist. 372-4.