Sir Geoffrey Boleyn

Grandfather of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII's six wives, who was executed after failing to deliver a surviving male heir, Sir Geoffrey Boleyn was a wealthy London merchant. He purchased the manor of Blickling in Norfolk from Sir John Fastolf and was Lord Mayor of London in 1457.

He died six years later 'a great rich man' with 'about 100 markes of land' according to Leland, a contemporary chronicler. But the official extent after his death showed that apart from his London property and Norfolk manor, he had other manors in Kent and Sussex, representing an investment of over £2,000.

He left £1,000 in money and plate to his children and as much again to his wife. In all, his wealth was probably around £10,000 or some £3.1bn in today's money.