Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk

Whilst we saw in an earlier blog that the 21st of June marked the anniversary of the death of William de la Pole, the 8th of September marks the death of his son, Michael de la Pole. Michael, the eldest son of William de la Pole and Katherine, rose to become the 1st Earl of Suffolk. Through his marriage to Catherine Wingfield he inherited lands in Norfolk. Unlike his father, Michael did not follow a mercantile career. He followed a military career fighting in the Hundred Years war alongside Edward, the Black Prince, and John of Gaunt. Politically he surpassed his father, rising to the position of Chancellor under Richard II. However, like his father before him, Michael also fell afoul of the Crown. Michael never recovered from this and eventually died in exile in 1389. At the height of his power, Michael never forgot his roots in Hull and was responsible for founding the Carthusian Priory, better known today as the Charterhouse. This is the story of Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk.

Illustration of a statue of Sir Michael de la Pole which can be seen at the Guildhall, taken from Wildridge’s Hull’s honour roll... [Ref L.923.5]

Michael de la Pole was born c.1330. By 1352 he had set out to forge a military career, and was knighted. His marriage to Catherine in 1358 brought him several estates in East Anglia, and in 1385, the title 1st Earl of Norfolk was bestowed on him.

Michael's military career first brought him to notice. He fought alongside Henry, Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt during the Hundred Years War with France. He was present at the siege of Limoges alongside Edward, the Black Prince, and remained in Gascony with John of Gaunt. Probably as a reward for his service with Gaunt, Michael was appointed Admiral North of the Thames. His military career was not without incident. He was twice captured and presumably ransomed. But this did little to hinder his rise to prominence under Richard II, probably as a result of his connections with the Black Prince and John of Gaunt.

Under Richard II he took a role as an ambassador to negotiate the marriage of Richard in 1379. And it was upon his return that Michael's career began to really take off. Along with the Earl of Arundel, de la Pole became advisor to Richard II in 1381. And in 1383 he was appointed Chancellor.

Michael continued to serve in a military capacity, but by the standards of the day he was in the later years of his life. In 1385, de la Pole went on expedition to Scotland and in that same year he was given the title 1st Earl of Suffolk. Things were therefore going rather well for Michael. He had ascended to the rank of Earl, the first de la Pole to do so. Politically he had surpassed his father becoming Chancellor. However, the good times were not to last for Michael; Medieval politics was a dangerous game.

Michael was probably feeling somewhat confident having found royal favour under Richard II. With Richard's approval he sought peace with France. This policy, however, signalled the beginning of the end for de la Pole, as many felt the terms of peace which he had negotiated deprived England of better terms. Added to this, a deepening financial crisis created unrest and resentment which was aimed towards Michael from the wider political circle.

Parliament now moved against Michael. They demanded his dismissal and impeachment. The King refused at first. However, increasing pressure eventually brought about Michael's removal from office and charges of impeachment were brought against him.

The impeachment charges were connected to his failings as Chancellor. He was accused of failing to provide relief for the Garrison at Ghent. However, Michael argued this was not solely his responsibility. The charges of gaining from his time in office, such as the purchase of lands for less than they were worth, were true, but de la Pole argued this time his gains from office were minimal. However, Michael was found guilty of misusing his position as Chancellor. His sentence was the forfeiture of all his lands he had received by royal grant. However, he retained his title of Earl of Suffolk. He was also fined 20,000 marks and spent a short time in prison before joining the King at Windsor, who by now had the fine remitted.

Tensions between the King and his opponents left Michael vulnerable. An appeal of treason was published in which Michael was accused of using his influence over the King to further his own ends. As pressure mounted against him, Michael fled overseas. His first stop was Calais where his brother Edmund was Captain of the Castle. To avoid detection, it is reputed Michael shaved off his hair and beard. His brother, however, spotted him and refused to admit him. Detained, Michael was returned to London. The King allowed Michael to return to Hull. A royal sergeant was sent to arrest him, but it was too late, Michael had already left Hull for the Netherlands. From there Michael went to Paris. 

In his absence, Michael was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. He was stripped of all his lands and earldom of Suffolk. Michael did not survive his exile long. He died in Paris on 5 September 1389. This was a sad end to what was a rise of political importance for de la Pole and the family. However, fourteenth century politics was a dangerous game, something Michael bared witness to. Perhaps it was Michael's origins that stuck in the throat of some of his contemporaries. The son of a merchant, Michael had risen to one of the highest offices in the land. This, as well as his close connection with the King, was perhaps a step too far by those in some circles.

Michael, however, never forgot his connection with Hull. He retained Suffolk Palace on the corner of Hull's Lowgate, the mansion house acquired by his father when he became mayor of Hull. He established the Carthusian Priory in 1377, replacing his father’s earlier founding. It is here that Michael's mother and wife were interred. Michael himself was eventually interred here too when his body was brought back from Paris in the 1390.

Rebuilt in 1780, the Charterhouse, founded by Michael de la Pole was built on the same site between 1377-1383, replacing his father’s earlier foundation [Ref: C]

His son, also Michael, successfully petitioned Henry IV to have his father’s judgement reversed. The Suffolk title was restored together with some estates, but not all his father’s previous holdings were forthcoming. The restoration of his father's estates would allude Michael the younger until his death in 1415.  

The de la Pole family continued to have influence and power. For example, in 1484 William de la Pole's great-grandson, John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln was informally recognised by his uncle, Richard III as heir to the throne. Had Richard III won at Bosworth in 1485, history would perhaps be very different. The de la Pole connection with Hull had however largely ceased on the death of Michael de la Pole in 1389. Suffolk Palace remained but was largely neglected his descendants. Now gone, all that is left to remind us of this once powerful and influential family is the statue of William de la Pole which now stands on Nelson Street, near Hull's pier and the Charterhouse.

Neil, Project Officer