From the Wikipedia page [1] Richard Lyons (killed 14 June 1381) was a wealthy medieval English merchant and financier. He was of illegitimate birth but became a successful, if somewhat corrupt, merchant, a member of the Worshipful Company of Vintners of the City of London. He was elected an Alderman for the Broad Street ward in 1374 and elected Sheriff of London for 1375. Thanks to the helpful influence of John of Gaunt however, he was later released and in 1380 was elected Member of Parliament for Essex.