Sir Richard Saltonstall

Born as the youngest son of a small Yorkshire landowner and cloth merchant, Salton was sent on apprenticeship in London, and upon its completion he settled in the Netherlands as a factor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers. There he developed wide commercial interests and acquired lands. Apart from being member of the Merchant Adventurers, Saltonstall was also involved in the work of Muscovy, Levant and East India Companies. By 1585 he was appointed governor of the Merchant Adventurers, and served as Master of the Skinners Company several occasions between 1589 and 1600.

Saltonstall also had a long and prosperous career serving as Member of Parliament (1586), Sheriff of London (1589) and Lord Mayor of London (1597). In 1598 he was made a knight. Over time he emerged as a substantial landowner owning properties in Halifax and Yorkshire, and manors in South Ockendon near Rumford in Essex and Hertfordshire manor of Moorhall in Yardley.