Sir Nicholas Brembre

Sir Nicholas Brembre was a leading 14th century English wool exporter and has also dealt in iron, wines and woad. He held a number of offices in London, and was Lord Mayor of London in 1377, and again from 1383-5.

Brembre was a supporter of King Richard II (r. 1377 – 1399) in his quarrel with Londoners and the nobles. He also acted as his financier, and on one occasion, Brembre advanced £2,970 to Richard. Brembre’s ties to Richard ultimately resulted in his downfall, as the anti-Richard Lords Appellant effectively took control of the government and imprisoned, exiled, or executed most of Richard's court. Brembre was executed in 1388 for treason at the behest of the Lords Appellant.

His wealth at his death was around £10,000, or over £3.8bn in 2010’s money.