This Day in History: 1314-09-29

The household book of Thomas Earl of Lancaster, preserved in the record of Pontefract, shows the amount of disbursements for domestic expenses for one year from Michaelmas (9th Sept) 1314 to 29th September 1315. Thomas had now amassed such great wealth and estates that he was virtually the most powerful man in England. An indication of his wealth can be seen from a year’s expenses totalling £7,957 13s. 4 1/2 d (£8.7 million in today’s money). This  compared to King Edward II‘s expenses for one year of £8,310 9s (£9.04 million in today’s money).