Thomas FitzAlan, the Earl of Arundel

Thomas Fitzalan Arundel was an English noble, landowner and military commander of Henry IV (r. 1399-1413) and Henry V (r. 1413-1422) of England.

When Thomas was at the age of 16 his father was executed by Richard II. He was placed in the custody of the Duke of Exeter. Thomas managed to escape about 1398 and joined his uncle, Archbishop Thomas Arundel, at Utrecht, returning to England in 1399 with Henry of Lancaster, afterward King Henry IV.

When Henry overthrew Richard II (r. 1377-1399), Arundel had his revenge on the steward who had imprisoned him: Ignoring a royal command that the man should be imprisoned in the Tower, Arundel had him executed and carried the unfortunate's head on a pole in triumph through the streets of London.

Henry IV restored Arundel to his father’s titles and estates and his wealth was further increased by his marriage to Beatrice, daughter of John I (r.1385-1433), king of Portugal. By the time of his death Arundel’s wealth was around £80,000, or about 2.66% of national income. This sum would be £29.5bn in 2010’s terms.