Gregory de Rokesley

Gregory de Rokesley, a native of Rokesley in Kent whence he took his name, was the richest goldsmith of his time, a great wool merchant, and a mayor of London for eight times.

Gregory de Rokesley (also Rokesle) appears in the earliest extant list of aldermen of the city of London, his name being connected with Dowgate ward. In 1264 and in 1270, he served the office of sheriff. His first appointment as mayor of London was in 1274 and has continuously served that office until 1281. He was again elected in 1285. Before Rokesley became mayor, in 1274 he accompanied the mayor, Waleys, to a conference with Edward I (r. 1272 – 1307) in Paris, and in July again waited upon the king at Montreuil in order to advise upon terms of peace between the king and the Countess of Flanders. He was also king's chamberlain from 1276 until 1278. In 1278, Rokesley was chief director of the royal mint, or master of the exchange throughout all England.

While serving his last term as mayor, Rokesley fell out of favor with Edward I because he had not followed king’s will to the letter. He was imprisoned for few days and deposed as mayor. Rokesley died on 13 July 1291, possessing eight manors in Kent, two in Surrey, and one in Sussex, among other property in London, Canterbury, and Rochester. De Rokesley 's wealth at his death would have been around £10,000, in 2010 equivalent would be over £2.7bn.