Sir Simon Burley

Simon Burley was an English soldier and courtier who enriched himself through close relations with royalty. He began his military career in the sea battle off Winchelsea in 1350, and then served Prince Edward in Aquitaine and Spain. Because of the close relationship with Prince Edward he became one of the tutors of Edward’s son Richard, later King Richard II (r. 1377-1399). For his services to the royal family he was rewarded with several grants, notably the lordship of Llansteffan in Wales, and a position of constable of Windsor as well.

Burley negotiated the marriage between Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. For his success in this mater he was rewarded by the Order of the Garter and also by the grant of Newcastle Emlyn for life in 1382. In 1384 Burley was made constable of Dover and warden of the Cinque Ports for life. By 1388 Burley was resented as leader of an exclusive clique monopolizing royal favor. In the Merciless Parliament he was charged with abusing his influence over the young king in various ways, but convicted on the eighth article which accused him of plotting to destroy the appellants. He was sentenced to death and was beheaded on Tower Hill on 5 May 1388.

At the time of his death Burley was worth around £10,000, or around 0.35% of the £2.8m net national income. In 2010’s terms that would be over £3.8bn.