Hamon Sutton

By the age of 22 Hamon Sutton became one of the richest men in Lincoln thanks to inheritance of extensive estates in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire from his father Robert.

His wealth further increased when he married Margaret, the daughter of Sir Henry Vavasour, one of the most influential landowners in east Yorkshire. From 1427 he enjoyed the annual revenues of £105 upon which he was taxed eight years later. By the mid 1430s he ranked among the five richest non-baronial landowners in Lincolnshire, which was itself one of the most prosperous counties in England.

Sutton also continued to pursue his trading ventures, dealing most in wool and precious metals. He held many civic offices, was mayor of the Calais Staple in 1433 and 1453. Between 1416 and 1439, Sutton was 10 times elected as Member of Parliament.