Richard Lyons (Warden of the Mint) Richard Lyons (Warden of the Mint) Sir Richard Lyons (1310 - 1381) was a prosperous City of London merchant, financier, and property developer, who held a monopoly on the sale of sweet wine in London, during the 14th century. He was a Privy Counsellor, an Alderman of the City, a member of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and served as both as Sheriff of London and MP for Essex. Lyons was a lifelong friend of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Lyons was killed by Wat Tyler during the Peasants' Revolt. Sir Richard was the most famous member of the Lyons family
Stephen Foster (Lord Mayor of London) Stephen Foster (Lord Mayor of London) Sir Stephen Foster (fl. 1454) was a fishmonger and later Lord Mayor of London. He was the son of Robert Foster of London, a stockfish merchant. Elected Sheriff of London in 1444, he became Lord Mayor of London in 1454, and served as the city's Member of Parliament in King Henry VI's 13th parliament. According to historian John Strype, Foster married a widow named Agnes, who enlarged Ludgate prison (where Foster had at one time been imprisoned for debt) and improved conditions for those incarcerated therein. Agnes and Stephen Foster appear as characters in