©Wellcome Library, London
 
 

Sir Richard Whittington was a London mercer who became Mayor of London in 1397-1398, 1406-1407, and 1419-1420. During his second term of office he was the wealthiest citizen in London and frequently loaned money from his own purse to the Exchequer. On his deathbed, he lies surrounded by members of the clergy whilst a physician in the background examines a urine flask. Whittington bequeathed substantial sums for re-building Newgate Prison and for establishing a library which became the Guildhall.

Source: The Ordinances of the almshouse founded under the terms of Whittington's will.