Richard Lyons (Warden of the Mint) facts for kids
Sir Richard Lyons (born around 1310, died 1381) was a very successful merchant, banker, and property developer in London during the 1300s. He was especially known for having a special control over the sale of sweet wine in the city. Sir Richard was an important person in the King's council, an Alderman (a kind of city leader) in London, and a member of the Worshipful Company of Vintners, which was a group for wine merchants. He also served as the Sheriff of London and was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Essex.
Lyons was a close friend of the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer throughout his life. Sadly, he was killed by Wat Tyler during the Peasants' Revolt.
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Sir Richard Lyons: A Powerful Merchant
Early Life and Connections
Sir Richard was a well-known member of the Lyons family in the 14th century. He came from the family's branch in Norfolk. He was also a lifelong friend of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer and Chaucer’s father, who was also a wine merchant.
Lyons even hired Geoffrey Chaucer to work for him as a deputy. Although Lyons was involved in some very large and unfair business dealings, Geoffrey Chaucer continued to confirm to the government that everything was fine. Lyons was also a close friend of John of Gaunt, a very powerful duke and son of the King.
His Business Empire
Sir Richard Lyons was one of the most important merchants in the City of London. He was a banker, a merchant who traded in wine, wool, cloth, iron, and lead, and he owned ships. He also developed properties, meaning he bought and sold land and buildings. He had many business connections in Flanders (an area that is now part of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands) and was very involved in trading goods with other countries.
He held many important positions in London. He was an Alderman, a member of the Vintners' Company, and served as Sheriff of London. He was made a knight and became a Privy Counsellor, advising the King. He also helped King Edward III manage his money. Lyons was also in charge of a group that looked into an attack on Portuguese merchant ships in 1371. He was the Keeper of the King’s Monies at the Tower of London in 1375 and collected taxes on goods.
Controlling the Wine Market
Through some clever, but unfair, business moves, Lyons managed to get almost complete control over the sweet wine market in London. He rented the only three taverns in London that were allowed to sell sweet wines from the city. It's thought that he also worked as a middleman for the Bardi family, a very rich banking family from Florence, and earned a lot of money from them.
How He Became Rich
Sir Richard Lyons was extremely wealthy. When he died, he owned land in many different parts of England, including Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Hertfordshire. He also owned several properties in London. These included a large house near the Guildhall, which was a meeting place for German merchants, on Thames Street. He also owned property in Cosyn Lane. An old writer named John Stow noted that Lyons's statue in a church in London showed him with a very large purse, suggesting he was a man who loved money.
Challenges and Downfall
Facing Accusations
Sir Richard Lyons worked closely with another important person, William Latimer, who was the King's Chamberlain. Together, they were involved in some very large financial problems. These included charging unfair prices, slowing down trade in ports on purpose, and making the prices of imported goods go up across the country. Lyons also used his position as a tax collector for wool to export his own wool without paying the proper taxes.
Because of these actions, Lyons and Latimer were put on trial by a special Parliament called the Good Parliament. This was the first time such a trial, called an impeachment, happened in English law. After this, Lyons tried to bribe Edward, the Black Prince, who was the King's son. He sent £1000 hidden in a barrel of fish! But Edward refused the bribe and had Lyons put in prison.
However, Edward the Black Prince died later in 1376. After that, because of his friendship with John of Gaunt, Lyons was pardoned and set free. Lyons then served as an MP for Essex again in 1380.
Lyons also set up a special religious fund at the Church of St James Garlickhithe. He gave the church special clothes for ceremonies that had lions embroidered on them. He is still remembered at that church.
His Final Days
Sir Richard Lyons was killed on June 14, 1381, during the Peasants’ Revolt. He was beheaded in Cheapside, a busy area in London, by Wat Tyler, who was a leader of the revolt. Some historians, like Froissart, suggest that Lyons was killed because Wat Tyler wanted revenge for past unfair treatment. Other writers, like Knighton, believe that the rebellious peasants targeted Lyons because of his reputation for unfair business dealings and how he became so rich.
See also
