William Capel

Born as the second son in an armigerous family, whose legacy can be traced in Suffolk from the 12th century, Capel could count on a small and insufficient family legacy.

Therefore, Wiliam headed for London where he became a merchant and eventually made a fortune in trade of cloth and wool, Spanish iron, Derbyshire lead and other commodities. In contemporaneous sources he is described as a tough man of business, quick to pursue debtors, great or small, in the courts and capable of suing an apprentice, who on his orders had carried away plate, jewels and money from his London house, in respect of the bond which he had taken for their safety.

He was elected MP for the city in 1491, 1512 and 1515, twice served as lord mayor, and acquired considerable landed property in Essex and Hertfordshire.