Sir Robert Holland

Robert Holland was an English noble who enriched himself through service in the support of Thomas of Lancaster, a grandson of King Henry III (r. 1216-1272). He supported Thomas from 1298 and in the next 22 years Robert was rewarded with a stream of grants, including 25 manors worth £550 a year. Robert also added to his wealth by marrying a wealthy co-heiress and with Lancaster's support in 1314, secured the highly favorable partition of her estates. His lands combined with his wife’s brought him an annual income of around £1,270 from land in sixteen counties.

Holland was worth around £15,000, equivalent to around 0.37% of the £4m net national income of the day. In 2010’s figures that would be £4.1bn.