Wikipedia article of the day for March 5, 2026

The Wikipedia article of the day for March 5, 2026 is Elizabeth Lyon (criminal).
Elizabeth Lyon (fl. c. 1722–1726) was an English thief and prostitute. By 1723, she was working in London as a prostitute at the Black Lyon alehouse, where she began a relationship with Jack Sheppard. At Lyon's instigation, Sheppard stole from places where he worked, then moved to housebreaking; Lyon became an accomplice to his crimes. Sheppard was arrested on several occasions and broke out soon after incarceration, often assisted by Lyon. In May 1724, she was arrested when visiting him in prison, and the pair broke out of New Prison (pictured). After Sheppard's execution in November 1724, Lyon entered into relationships with other men who were, or became, involved in housebreaking, and she sometimes assisted them. She was arrested in March 1726 and was transported to Maryland. Lyon's notoriety is based on her connection to Sheppard; in the years following his execution, novels were published and plays performed that retold their story.