Barne, a haberdasher of London, was an Alderman of the London ward
Bridge between 1574 and 1576,
Tower between 1576 and 1583,
Langbourn between 1583 and 1587, and
Bassishaw between 1587 and 1593. Barne served as Auditor of London in 1574,
Sheriff of London between 1576 and 1577,
Lord Mayor of London between 1586 and 1587, and was knighted by
Lord Chamberlain in 1587. He was a Master of the
Haberdashers' Company between 1586 and 1587, represented London in the Parliament between 1588 and 1589, and was President of
St. Thomas' Hospital between 1592 and 1593. Barne supported the voyage of
Edward Fenton in 1582 and
John Davis's voyage in 1586, both of which sought to find the
Northwest Passage. He was related to several families of the London oligarchy, had shares in the Company of Mineral and Battery Works, and was well connected, considered one of the most influential people of his times in London municipal affairs. Sir
Jerome Horsey wrote that Barne was his dear friend, and it is noted that Barne was a contemporary of
Henry Hudson.
John Stow dedicated his work "The Chronicles of England" to Barne. Upon his death, Barne left a will which revealed his financial success, holding land and estates in several countries. He lived on
Lombard Street, London and was buried at
St Edmund, King and Martyr nearby. ==Anti-Catholicism==