Ralph, 3rd Lord Cromwell

Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell was an English nobleman, politician, and diplomat. In his youth he gained a place in the household of Henry IV's second son, Thomas, duke of Clarence (d. 1421). Ralph started his military career under Clarence's command when they crossed to Normandy in August 1412 and campaigned into the duchy of Orléans.

Ralph continued his military career and fought in France during the reign of Henry V (r. 1413-1422). He participated in the capture of Harfleur, fought at Agincourt in 1415, and 1417 was present at the capture of Caen. He showed talent for administration, for Clarence appointed Cromwell to be his lieutenant in command of the garrisons of Bec, Poissy, and Pontoise, and in 1421 Cromwell became captain of Harfleur. He was also talented for diplomacy, since he was one of the men appointed to negotiate the treaty of Troyes of 1420.

Cromwell had become one of Henry V's most trusted diplomats and captains and, following the sudden death of the king in 1422, Cromwell was given one of the four places for knights on the council established by parliament in 1422 for the governance of England during the minority of Henry VI.

In the late 1420s or early 1430s Cromwell had become the king's chamberlain. On 1 March 1432 he lost that office, but has become treasurer of England on 11 August 1433. As head of the exchequer Cromwell faced extreme fiscal problems, and although he did not succeed in bringing stability to government finances his personal wealth, however, grew steadily during his treasurership.

At his death, Ralph was worth approximately £40,000, what would be about £13bn in 2010.