I would use the past conditional here and although Stefano's 'bigwig' is a great word and translates the subtle irony, I feel it is too much of an image of the 18th century (the big wigs!) to fit in this 15th century context. The word eminent is a later term and could fit well.

em•i•nent (ˈɛm ə nənt)

adj.
1. high in station, rank, or repute; distinguished.
2. greatest; utmost: eminent fairness.
3. lofty; high.
4. prominent; jutting: an eminent nose.
[1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin ēminent-, s. of ēminēns outstanding]
em′i•nent•ly, adv.

to preserve the irony of the 'qualche' construction 'an eminent somebody'

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Note added at 11 hrs (2016-03-09 07:49:51 GMT)
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sorry I meant the word eminent is an EARLIER term!