I think Henry VII gave John Cabot 10 pounds as a reward for discovering Newfoundland (and giving England a claim to the New World). Soul of generosity, that guy.
“In 2017, this is worth approximately:
£6,659.57
In 1500, you could buy one of the following with £10:
Horses: 7
Cows: 26
Wool: 90 stones
Wheat: 25 quarters
Wages: 333 days (skilled tradesman)”
It still wasn’t that much money.