What was it like to live in 16th Century London? How did trade with other nations come about, how did it affect the metropolis and project Britain to the world stage? How and where did these merchants live and what happened in their personal lives? The Merchant Adventurers answers those questions by describing the lives of eight inter-related, but lesser known, 16th century merchant adventurers. The Merchant Adventurers provides a window into the merchants' world of commerce in that era and the training and personal attributes required to succeed within the exacting mores of Tudor society. The narrative describes how relationships strengthened the impact on commerce and provided support when fate, seafaring dangers, disease and battle at home and abroad challenged success. Margaret Davison describes the personal and financial bravery needed to deliver great gains and how tenacity and courage turned adversity into strength and reward. It also aims to show how wisdom prevailed against the siren call of immense riches in order to avoid the personal disaster that befell the less astute. These men's acumen and wealth enabled the building of alms houses and the establishment of schools that would educate England's citizens allowing the nation to progress towards an even better future.