Later Life
Harpur continued to lead an active life until he was over 70. He contributed to the purchase of a site for Gresham's new Royal Exchange in 1565. He was regularly in attendance at the meetings of the Merchant Taylors. His wife died on 10 October 1569, and in September 1570 Harpur married Margaret Lethers. He died in 1574, aged 77. He was buried, according to his wishes, in the churchyard of St Paul's Church, Bedford. His widow arranged for the erection of a monumental brass to him, with the inscription: “Hereunder lieth buried the body of Sir William Harpur, knight, alderman and late Lord Mayor of the city of London, with Dame Margaret, his last wife.” The plaque is on the south wall of the church, and is supposed to have been moved away from the site of the tomb, making the word “hereunder” slightly incorrect. Dame Margaret herself remarried twice before dying in Bedford on 3 November 1596.
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