Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford

Walter Hungerford was an English noble who rose to power and wealth by arms under the reigns of Henry IV (1399-1413), Henry V (r. 1413-1422), and Henry VI (1422-1461, 1470-1471). He was Henry V's executor, guardian of the infant Henry VI, and also Lord Treasurer from 1426 to 1432.

Walter inherited a series of huge landholdings in Wiltshire, Somerset and Berkshire in 1398. From 1401 he was active with the English army in France, and had distinguished himself at the battle of Agincourt. In 1417 he was made admiral of the fleet under John, duke of Bedford, and was with Henry V in 1418 at the siege of Rouen. During all this time he served as an English diplomat on various missions. For his role in English military campaigns he was given grants of land in both France and England. He also made a great deal of money out of ransoming his captives although he also had to do the same for two of his own sons.

Hungerford died worth an estimated £25,000, about 0.73% of the then net national income of £3.4m. In 2010 he would be worth about £8.1bn.