Notwithstanding the Civil Wars of the Roses, agriculture was
prosperous and foreign trade largely increased. The latter was well
represented by Sir Richard Whittington, thrice mayor of London, who,
according to tradition, lent Henry V large sums of money, and then at
an entertainment which he gave to the King and Queen in his city
mansion, generously canceled the debt by throwing the bonds into the
open sandalwood fire. There is a fine fresco, representing this
scene, in the Royal Exchange, London.
Goldsmiths from Lombardy had now settled in London in such numbers as
to give the name of Lobard Street to the quarter they occupied. They
succeeded the Jews in the business of money lending and banking, and
Lombard Street still remains famous for its bankers and brokers.