Many of my clients have heard me say, “Money doesn’t disappear—it just changes hands.” But here’s one case where the money did disappear.
King John—better known as Prince John from the Robin Hood tales—was a notoriously greedy ruler. His income came from three main sources:
1. Profits from royal lands
2. Feudal payments from nobles
3. Taxes
During his 17-year reign, King John raised taxes 11 times. For context, the previous three monarchs had collectively raised taxes 11 times over their combined reigns. Unsurprisingly, John wasn’t exactly beloved.
The barons and nobles eventually rebelled, forcing King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. This historic document marked the beginning of constitutional law in England, making the monarchy subject to the rule of law. But John, ever spiteful and suspicious, remained paranoid and petty. He didn’t trust anyone—and insisted on traveling with his personal treasure.
While fleeing rebellious barons, he chose a risky shortcut across the Wash, a tidal estuary. 
The safer route was 75 miles long, but the shortcut—only accessible at low tide—was just 11 miles. It turned out to be a terrible miscalculation. His baggage train, which carried the crown jewels, golden goblets, coins, the sword of Tristram, and more—estimated at over $70 million in today’s value—was lost to the sea and has never been recovered.
King John’s miserliness and obsession with hoarding his wealth directly contributed to one of the greatest treasure losses in English history.
At HPK Provident Advisors, we’re here to help you make smart financial decisions—no shortcuts required. Not everything comes out in the Wash… and for the record, we’re not recommending an investment in the search for King John’s lost treasure.