Sir Geoffrey Scrope

Geoffrey Scrope was a younger son of minor Yorkshire nobility. He made his wealth as a lawyer and had eventually become Chief Justice of the King’s Bench in 1324. His connections enabled him to build up substantial land holdings in thirteen counties.

However, his total wealth was more than earned from royal bounty and his fees from office. There was a shadow of corruption in his career and he earned extra money from lending money. Be as it may, he served the Crown with distinction; in the military, financial and diplomatic fields.

At the time of his death he was worth £15,000. In 2010 this would be worth over £2.5bn.