William de la Pole

Sir William de la Pole was a merchant from Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, who became a financier for the English crown and briefly held the position of Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He was instrumental in establishing the de la Pole family as a significant noble lineage through his success in commerce and finance. He was recognized for his mercantile achievements and was the founder of the Charterhouse Monastery in Kingston upon Hull.

William’s early life is not well-documented, and there is uncertainty surrounding his parentage. He and his brother Richard were prominent merchants and provided substantial loans to the monarchy for military campaigns. William’s services to the crown included managing the English Wool Company and providing ships for the Hundred Years War. Despite facing charges related to the failure of the wool trade and the subsequent seizure of his lands, he managed to return to royal favor and continue his financial activities. He founded a hospital in Hull and initiated the establishment of a religious house, which was completed by his son after his death.