Abstract
Abstract This discussion provides the first in-depth investigation into the meaning and significance of a quite exceptional petition presented by the parliamentary Commons in the reign of Richard II. The petition survives as a unique copy in the chronicle of Henry Knighton: it was not recorded on the parliament roll. Knighton inserted the petition into his more general account of the Merciless Parliament of 1388. In this discussion I argue that the petition is most likely to have been presented in the parliament that met in the aftermath of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, and as a result holds great constitutional significance.
Highlights
This discussion provides the first in-depth investigation into the meaning and significance of a quite exceptional petition presented by the parliamentary Commons in the reign of Richard II
The petition survives as a unique copy in the chronicle of Henry Knighton: it was not recorded on the parliament roll
Knighton inserted the petition into his more general account of the Merciless Parliament of 1388
Summary
In the first part of his account, he lists the names of the royal justices who were arrested on the first day of parliament, before explaining that they had been incarcerated for helping the king overturn the legal basis of the commission of government set up in 1386.9 He gives the names of the courtiers who were tried for treason by the Lords Appellant, detailing the terms of the sentences of outlawry passed against those who were not present in parliament to face their accusers.[10] there is a lengthy exposition of the proceedings taken against the Lollards, a topic that Knighton seems to have attached more significance to than the parliament roll would suggest was the case in parliament itself.[11] At this point the petition from the Commons is inserted.[12] There is discussion of a visit of a Flemish mission seeking peace,[13] before Knighton returns to the principal business of the parliament, the trials of Richard’s servants and friends, for which the chronicler includes the full and lengthy text of the parliamentary appeals.[14] Coverage of the Merciless Parliament ends with
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