Richard FitzAlan, the Earl of Arundel and Surrey

Richard FitzAlan was an English noble, landowner, and military commander. His wealth came from his family’s estates and his military exploits.

Richard inherited his father’s title of the Earl of Arundel and Surrey and huge family wealth in 1376. He was appointed Admiral of the West in 1377, but his early naval exploits were not covered with glory. He also had little success on land. His negligence on watch gave the French the chance to raise the Siege of St. Malo when they destroyed a mine and was equally sluggish in defending his tenants against French raids on the Sussex coast.

His military fortunes improved when in 1387 when he prepared an expedition against the French, which defeated a large alliance of Flemish, French and Spanish ships off Margate. He also capture a hundred ships filled with wine. Richard refused to profit from the huge haul, and as a results, wine was cheap in Britain for a year.

In the late 1380s he entered into intrigue against Richard II, and became the king's fiercest enemy. In 1397 Richard moved to open rebellion against the Crown. For this he was tried and condemned for treason and executed.

Richard’s wealth was estimated at £150,000, a 5% of NNI. In 2010 this would be equal to £55 .4bn.