Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk

Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk, 1st Baron de la Pole, born around 1330, served as an English financier and Lord Chancellor of England. He resided at Wingfield Castle in Suffolk. He was the eldest son of Sir William de la Pole, a prominent wool merchant and Chief Baron of the Exchequer, who became a leading financier of King Edward III following the collapse of major Florentine banking families. Michael’s brother was Edmund de la Pole.

Michael de la Pole gained greater favor at court than his father, becoming a close confidant of King Richard II. He was appointed Chancellor in 1383 and was created Earl of Suffolk in 1385. His career faced a downturn in the late 1380s, marked by his impeachment for embezzlement and negligence during the Wonderful Parliament of 1386. Despite his removal from office, he maintained royal favor until he clashed with the Lords Appellant. After fleeing to Paris to avoid repercussions, he was sentenced in absentia, and his titles and estates were confiscated.